Napkin, handkerchief, serviette

Souvenir paper table napkin commemorating the death and lying in state of King Edward VII in May 1910. The napkin includes a woodcut portrait of the King captioned 'In beloved memory of HM King Edward VII Peacemaker'. Below in letterpress is practical information about the lying in state including times when the public as well as a timeline of key events in the King's life. The text is surrounded by a black border and an outer coloured border of 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.