1492 - 1892
400th
ANNIVERSARY
IN COMMEMORATION
OF THE DISCOVERY OF
AMERICA 1492

 

image of Columbus and his men landing in America.

 

 

LANDING OF COLUMBUS
OCT 12th 1492

image of Star Spangled banner draped over flag pole

 

IN GOD
WE
TRUST

 

white 

This bookmark has the weavers name, "J J Mannion, Chicago, Ills.", on the reverse at the top.

It is known that Mannion was an agent of Stevens, although it is also possible they were weavers in their own right, so there is still doubt regarding the true weaver of this item.

There is a silk similar to this one on this web site, see sb4 which is attributed to Stevens because it matches a silk bookmark within the Stevens' Family Album preserved at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry. As noted there however, the Album was put together after the destruction of the Stevens factory in 1940, based upon a samples book, and there could be some concern as the the authenticity of that silk.
The sb4 silk has been recorded sometimes with the "J J Mannion, Chicago, Ills." marking on the reverse, and sometimes with no weavers name. It could be argued that both the sb4 silk and this one were made by the same weaver, and as it exists within the Stevens Family Album, Stevens are the manufacturer of both silks, sometimes with no name, and sometimes with the Mannion name.