The Canadian Arch, Whitehall, 1902

Souvenir paper table napkin commemorating the opening of the Canadian Arch as part of London's coronation street decorations in 1902. The souvenir is illustrated with a large woodcut engraving of the Arch showing horse drawn vehicles and pedestrians passing through. Below is printed a detailed description of the Arch. The napkin has a printed border of pink carnations.

The Canadian Arch was erected at Whitehall by the Government of Canada as a 'loving tribute from the empire's Granary' to its new King. The Arch played a key role in London's street decorations for the Coronation and became a popular tourist attraction with many Londoners choosing to travel through the arch via bus. The arch frame was decorated with Canadian wheat, grasses, maple leaves and apples and lit by over 4000 lights. Due to the delay in the coronation, caused by Edward VII's emergency operation for appendicitis, the arch had to be refreshed with new produce before the Coronation finally took place in August 1902

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. Whilst the firm of Burgess printed most of these paper napkins this example was printed by Matthews of Hoxton and seems to be of higher quality than the quickly mass produced napkins produced by Burgess. This suggests the Canadian Arch was a highly popular visitor attraction in London during the Coronation period and there was large popular demand for souvenirs commemorating its installation. Visually attractive souvenirs such as this napkin may have been framed and hung on walls in domestic homes as coronation decorations.