Napkin, handkerchief, serviette

Souvenir paper table napkin commemorating the visit of the French President Fallières to London in May 1908 for the opening of the Franco-British Exhibition at White City. A programme of the visit is printed in the central area of the napkin and surrounded by a border decoration incorporating coloured Union Jack & Royal Standard flags.

Similar souvenir napkins were printed for every large public event, ceremony or procession that occured in London from the early to mid 20th century. The squares were imported into London from Japan pre-printed with a decorative border in up to 5 colours and a blank central area. Burgess was one of the main printer of such napkins that would be sold for one penny (1d) by street hawkers moving amongst the huge crowds that attended such popular events. As well as providing practical information such as a programme and timetable of the day's events these napkins were also intended to be taken home and kept as a souvenir. Many were framed and used as decoration in working class homes.