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Preview image of work. oil on linen,  Tailors trade banner, Portland, 1841 21163

2010.43.17.1-.2

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Tailors trade banner, Portland, 1841

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Artist

William Capen, Jr.

Title

Tailors trade banner, Portland, 1841

Creation Date

1841

Century

mid-19th century

Dimensions

36 5/8 x 44 in. (93 x 111.76 cm)

Object Type

textile/natural fiber

Creation Place

North America, United States, Maine

Medium and Support

oil on linen

Credit Line

Collections of the Maine Historical Society, purchased by a coalition of Maine museums, including the Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Barbara Cooney Porter Fund and Gift the Textile Arts Foundation (Robert D.Barton and Nancy Hemenway)

Copyright

This artwork may be under copyright. For further information, please consult the Museum’s Copyright Terms and Conditions.

Accession Number

2010.43.17.1-.2

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 red later addition yarn fringe. One side with "THINK AND ACT." in light cream lettering with brown and red shadowing. The phrase enclosed in a shield shaped scroll border. All on a white silk background. The reverse with "BY CONCORD SMALL BEGINNINGS LEAD TO GREATNESS." in cream letters with brown shadowing all against a white silk background.

Per the Maine Memory Network in conjunction with the Maine Historical Society - October 2015:
As part of a Triennial Festival in Portland in 1841, the 17 trade groups of the Maine Charitable Mechanic Association created banners representing their trade and carried them in a parade through Portland.

The tailors' banner, painted with oil on linen by Charitable Mechanic member William Capen Jr., reads, "By Concord Small Beginnings lead to Greatness" on one side and "Think and Act" on the other.