Marquis de Lafayette Ribbon, 1824

Description

Original silk ribbon worn during the Philadelphia welcoming parade for the 1824-25 United States Tour by the Marquis de Lafayette.

[Lafayette Parade Ribbon]. [Charles McKarahar : Philadelpha] [c. 1824].

An original silk commemorative ribbon from the Marquis de Lafayette’s “reunion” tour of the United States, featuring his portrait beneath an eagle-held banner reading “A Grateful Nation’s Welcome Guest” with a list of the Marquis’ notable Revolutionary War battles, Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, and Yorktown written underneath.

Remembered as “the hero of two worlds” the life of Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de Lafayette, is a testament to the turbulent period in which he lived. As an idealistic 19-year-old, Lafayette bought a ship to sail to the United States to assist in the American Revolution. Made a Major General before the age of 20, he was wounded at the Battle of Brandywine (mentioned on this ribbon) and was a decisive force in the American victory at the Battle of Yorktown, which began real negotiations for the nation’s independence and the end of the Revolutionary War. Eager to share the ideals of liberty with his own countrymen, Lafayette’s role in the French Revolution is less celebrated. Although he founded and lead the National Guard, Lafayette was seen as too close to the Monarchy and the establishment, and when the Reign of Terror began, he was lucky to escape with his life. Repatriated during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte, Lafayette’s political life remained uncertain into the Bourbon Restoration, making the 1824 invitation to return to the United States particularly appealing.

Lafayette’s months long journey involved stops in each state– one of the many reasons towns called “Lafayette” are so common. When he arrived at New York Harbor, the crowd that met him represented a larger turn out by population than the Beatles’ received in 1964. At multiple stops along the tour, Lafayette was met by honor guard escorts made up of children and soldiers identified by special commemorative ribbons worn pinned to their coats.

This ribbon from Philadelphia– remembered by some as the highlight of the entire Marquis de Lafayette tour– was created and sold by one Charles McKarahar owner of a “fancy shop” at 41 North Second Street per the 1824 Philadelphia Business Directory, later recorded selling figurative printed ribbons at his store’s new location in 1840.

1.5″ x 7″ printed silk ribbon, minor fraying at lower end edges. Some creasing. Good condition.

 

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