The Late Rt. Hon. John Bright, M.P.

Woven on silk:-
 

Printed at bottom of card-mount:-
WOVEN IN PURE SILK BY T. STEVENS, COVENTRY

THE LATE
Rt. Hon. John Bright, M.P.
(BORN NOV. 16, 1811. DIED MARCH 27, 1889.)

Card-mount:
17.3cm deep by 13.0cm wide

silk:
10.5cm deep by 6.2cm wide

by Sprake:
 

by Godden:
John Bright was born on 16 November 1811, the son of a Yorkshire miller. He agitated against the Corn Laws in 1842 and became Member of Parliament for Durham in 1843, then for Manchester, and later for Birmingham. Bright was a leading politician of the Victorian era, with volumes of his speeches published in 1868 and in 1879. He died on 27 March 1889.

The Stevens silk portraits show John Bright facing slightly left. At least four versions are recorded. The title was first listed on label 21+9+2 early in 1887 and was included in an advertisement of May 1887. But it does not occur after label 23+34b of the 1888-9 period.

This is the third version. The portrait is as so120 except with the amended title printed on the card-mount - "The late Rt. Hon. John Bright M.P. Born Nov. 16, 1811. Died March 27, 1889".

This version was issued, perhaps, merely to use up existing stocks of woven silk with an amended card-mount after Bright's death. I have been unable to trace a back-label referring to 'The Late Rt. Hon. John Bright M.P.'.

Other comments:
The image above has a 23+27+2 back label, which Godden dates to March - April 1888. As the actual printing on the front must be dated after 27 March 1889; that is, a year later, once again we have Stevens using up old stock of back labels.

From a paper envelope used to post the original pictures and portraits, it is confirmed the flowers are Water Lilies.