Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Commemorative Ribbon of Lafayette's visit to United States
ca. 1824
Maker not marked
Place made not marked
Ink on silk
overall: 7-1/4"h x 2"w
Loaned by the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts
GL2004.1403

Lafayette ribbon; white silk ribbon commemorating the Lafayette's 1824-25 visit to the United States; head and shoulders engraved portrait with "Welcome La Fayette!" above.

An enterprising Boston stationer advertised ribbons adorned with Lafayette’s portrait in 1824 which may have been similar to this example. The seller described his stock as “intended to be worn as a compliment to the General.” The same year the New York City engraving firm Durand and Wright created “an elegant likeness of the General print on white satin ribbon” that they retailed for 25 cents. A newspaper suggested citizens wear this ribbon “as a token of respect and gratitude to the friend of Washington and our country.”