Object Description
Per the James D. Julia Inc.'s Auction Catalogue (End of Summer Spectacular Maine Auction- 2010):
The hanging banner mounted to a round wood dowel with hanging loop having oil painted decoration on both sides with a light green later addition yarn fringe. One side with "WE LAY THE FOUNDATIONS OF COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE." in black and cream letters with red and brown shadowing all on a white silk background. The reverse with a painting of a ship hull in dry dock flying a huge American flag, ship's pennant "Temperance" and other flags. There are five men seen on deck, two men walking a ramp up to the bow, fourteen men working beside and below the wood cradle and a family seated on a log watching.
Per the Maine Memory Network in conjunction with the Maine Historical Society - October 2015:
A ship under construction, flying both an American flag and a "temperance" flag, has workers on board and workers carrying materials onto the ship.
The reverse side includes the text, "We Lay the Foundations of Commercial Enterprise."
The illustration is on one side of a banner painted for the Pump and Block Makers, Mast and Spar Makers, Rope Makers, Riggers and Sail Makers group of the Maine Charitable Mechanic Association in Portland in 1841.
The 17 trade groups of the association carried the colorful hand-painted banners in a parade on Oct. 8, 1841, through the streets of Portland.
The Maine Charitable Mechanic Association, formed in 1815, supported and promoted skilled artisans.
