Serve God and be cheerful

the image of this bookmark kindly
donated by the President of the
Stevengraph Collectors Association
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
printing at top of stiff
backing paper used to support
the bookmark in the post
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
{shield with letters:}
 
GFS  
 
 
Serve God
 
 
{image of rose}
 
and be
 
 
 
Cheerful
 
 

Of bookmark: cm long by cm wide

It is unfortunately not known what is woven on the reverse of this bookmark, even though it is attached to the stiff backing paper, which has the STEVENS name and logo printed at the top. There are however, marks on the paper which suggest the outline of a bookmark, although, as can be seen, these marks do not correspond to the attached silk. It is possible therefore that this silk bookmark is not of Stevens manufacture.

There is recorded a second " GFS " bookmark, and in the absence of any other information, it is assumed also to have been made by STEVENS.

Note: " GFS " are the initials for " GIRLS FRIENDLY SOCIETY ". According to their web site {GirlsFriendlySociety.org.uk), The Girls Friendly Society was officially established in England on 1st January 1875 by Mary Elizabeth Townsend, an Irish clergyman's daughter married to the wealthy Frederick Townsend.