Y.M.C.A. Souvenir of 'My Visit to England During the Great War 1914-1918'
c. 1916Souvenir wallet made from textured brown card with thin dotted black borders at top and bottom. The front cover reads 'Souvenir' in darker brown printing on the diagonal. The reverse has the text 'MY VISIT TO ENGLAND DURING THE GREAT WAR 1914--1918' in upper case lettering, above and below which is a 5-petal flower.
On the inside left within an oval border is a portrait of a middle aged man wearing a dark suit with a Y.M.C.A. badge on the lapel, and a matching bowler hat.
On the inside right is a pocket with a curved internal edge containing a cream coloured card. The text on the card reads 'Souvenir of a pleasant day spent with MR. WALTER RIDGWAY, WESTCOMBE, WESTOVER ROAD, WANDSWORTH COMMON, ENGLAND. Y.M.C.A. HONORARY GUIDE'.
The card insert is entitled 'SYNOPSIS' and details the history of Hampton Court Palace.
This wallet was issued as a souvenir or memento given to travellers or visitors who participated in tours organised by the Young Men's Christian Association (Y.M.C.A.) in England, led by honorary volunteer guides such as Mr Walter Ridgway.
It is presumed that the portrait inside is of Mr. Ridgway, as he is wearing a Y.M.C.A. metal badge on his coat. It is also assumed that the tour that Mr Ridgway led on that particular day was of Hampton Court. Different tours would have had different card inserts and each honorary guide would have had their own specific named wallets featuring their portraits.
Details
Details
On front cover:
"Souvenir"
On inside right:
"Souvenir of a
pleasant day
spent with
MR. WALTER RIDGWAY,
WESTCOMBE,
WESTOVER ROAD,
WANDSWORTH COMMON,
ENGLAND.
Y.M.C.A.
HONORARY GUIDE"
On back cover:
"MY VISIT TO
ENGLAND DURING
THE GREAT WAR
1914--1918"
On card insert:
"SYNOPSIS
OF THE
History of Hampton Court Palace.
Built by Cardinal Wolsey 1514.
Given by him to Henry VIII,
who rebuilt the large Banqueting Hall 1536,
and had Astronomical Clock made in 1540.
East Front rebuilt by William III. 1689, Architect
Sir Christopher Wren.
The other following Kings and Queens lived here :-
Edward VI. ... ... ..1547 Charles II. ... ...1660
Queen Mary ........1553 James II. .. ... ..1685
Queen Elizabeth .1558 William & Mary .1689
King James I. .. ..1603 Queen Anne ... . 1702
King Charles I. ...1625 George I. ... ... . 1704
Cromwell ... ... .. 1649 George II. ... ... .1707
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