Thomas Stevens Silk Bookmark John Wesley c.1874 Methodist Founder Stevengraph For Sale

Stevens Bookmark SB759, dateable to circa 1874-76 by the logo on comparable backed examples. The design moves from a celestial scene at the top with radiating light, a gold crown with stars, an open Holy Bible with chalice on a red draped cloth, oval portrait of Wesley in clerical dress on a black ground, his name below in red Gothic, and into the scriptural verse, ivory ground: "They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." Daniel Ch. XII v. 3. Geometric pointed tip with quatrefoil roundel. Authenticated by "T. Stevens, Coventry" on the reverse.

• Maker: Thomas Stevens, Coventry, England
• Date: Circa 1874-1876 (Stevens logo period)
• Subject: John Wesley; Daniel 12:3 scriptural verse
• Dimensions: 41 mm W x 186 mm L (main body, approx. 1 5/8" x 7 3/8"); pointed tip piece detached but present
• Catalog References: SB759; Darby No. 396b; Godden No. 780*

*Reference numbers cited from stevengraph-silks.com; not independently verified against the Sprake/Darby or Godden print catalogs.

• Pointed tip fully detached from main body; complete and present, with "T. Stevens, Coventry" on the reverse. All design elements accounted for.
• Upper section (celestial scene and Holy Bible): heavily toned to a deep amber-brown; silk brittle with small cracks beginning at the upper corners; horizontal separation initiating at the junction between the Holy Bible area and the portrait section below.
• Portrait section: noticeably better, black ground retained well, Wesley portrait crisp with good contrast
• Verse section: ivory ground reads clearly throughout; scripture text complete and visible.
• Stored flat; minimal fold lines throughout.
• Selvedge edges finished on both sides; top and bottom cut.
• Unmounted, no glue residue, white backer in images included but not affixed.

Ships with front and rear acid-free tissue and backers in a rigid photo mailer. Typically ships within one business day. Rates to Alaska and Hawaii differ from continental US. International shipping available through 's Global Shipping Program.

John Wesley (1703-1791) was an Anglican clergyman who founded the Methodist movement. No small feat, he completed an estimated 40,000 sermons over half a century across Britain and America. His memorial is located in London, behind Wesley's Chapel, with a long and beautiful epitaph written by fellow preacherAdam Clarke.