Great law abiding Women's Suffrage pilgramage Great Demonstration in Hyde Park and service in St Paul's Cathedral, Saturday and Sunday, July 26th & 27th

Souvenir paper table napkin commemorating the women's Suffrage pilgrimage held in London on 26th and 27th July 1913. This event, organised by the non-militant National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies included a demonstration in Hyde Park and a service at St Paul's Cathedral. The napkin printed with a programme of the two day event has a red and green floral border representing the colour scheme of the NUWSS. The printed information appears as a news report and was probably reproduced from a newspaper report on the event printed a few days before. It notes that 'Eight columns are, at this moment, gradually converging on London from all parts of the country, holding meetings, collecting money, and gaining converts as they march'. The programmes lists some of the speakers due to appear on the 20 platforms at Hyde Park together with a timetable of events and a list of assembly points for those taking part. The napkin appears to have been produced for both spectators and participants and notes 'There will probably be a general desire to see something of these women, who have given up so much in order to march through the land, spreading a knowledge of their cause, and we recommend those who desire to hear the pick of the fine speakers in the movement to attend one of the numerous meetings, or to stand at one of the twenty platforms in Hyde Prk on Saturday afternoon, July 26th. With regards the service in St Paul's Cathedral on Sunday the napkin notes 'It is advisable to go early, in order to ensure getting seats, for the service is usually largely attended. Several members of the Executive and others will go together from Trafalgar Square, and any Pilgrims who care to join them are invited to meet in the Square at 1.45pm'

Souvenir napkins were printed for every large public event, ceremony or procession that occured in London from the late 19th 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.