Souvenir paper table napkin printed with a programme for the Women's Coronation procession

Souvenir paper table napkin printed with a programme for the 'Votes for Women' Coronation procession of 1911. The floral border is coloured in purple and green, the colour scheme of the Women's Social and Political Union who organised the procession. Souvenir napkins or 'handkerchiefs' 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. S. Burgess was one of the main printers of such napkins. They would have been sold for about 1 penny by street traders lining the route of the event. The fact that such napkins were produced as souvenirs for all the major suffragette processions indicates that these were high profile spectacular events that attracted huge crowds and had a major impact on London life during this period.