Programme Memoir the Right Honourable Andrew Bonar Law

This souvenir programme was published to commemorate the funeral of the Conservative Prime Minister Andrew Bonar Law held at Westminster Abbey on November 5th 1923. The programme cover is printed with a grainy photographic portrait of Bonar Law probably reproduced from a newspaper surrounded by a black border. Inside are printed details of the funeral procession that travelled from Onslow Gardens to St Columba's church and then on to Westminster Abbey where he was buried. Bonar Law had been forced to resign as Prime Minister in March 1923 when diagnosed with throat cancer.

Such penny (1d) souvenir programmes were quickly and cheaply mass printed for all public ceremonial events that took place in London in the early 20th century. They were primarily sold to spectators lining the route by street hawkers moving amongst the mass crowds. Such programmes were not only produced as souvenirs but also to encourage participation by informing Londoners where and when the events were taking place.