Souvenir paper table napkin commemorating Emily Wilding Davison

Souvenir paper table napkin commemorating the life and death of Emily Wilding Davison. The napkin is printed with a reproduction photograph of Emily in her graduation robes and includes a summary of her life as a Suffragette. The napkin is surrounded by a purple and green floral border, representing the colours of the Women's Social and Political Union. Such napkins were sold to the crowds who watched the funeral procession organised for Emily by the Women's Social and Political Union. The procession took place on the 14th June 1913 and travelled through central London to St George's Church in Bloomsbury for a memorial service. Many Londoners came to view what was to become the last spectacular event organised by the Women's Social and Political Union.

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.