Lot 1378
"Remember the Maine" Patriotic Scarf. United States, c. 1898. Another printed silk or satin scarf, in a more homespun style, but still a commercially made work. Celebrating victory in the Philippines, the scarf displays portraits of President McKinley, Admiral Dewey, and Dewey's commander of his flagship, Captain Charles V. Gridley. Surrounding the three are a the usual decorative accoutrements: banners and bunting, shields, flags, anchor and cannons, etc. The inscriptions read: "The 'Maine' Well Remembered," and "Manila Captured, August 13th, 1898." Scarf with additional contemporary border with tinted zones in rose and indigo. Condition very fine to excellent, with slight yellowing, a couple of rust spots, and one small tape stain. Textile professionally mounted in matted frame. Visible size: 18" x 18". Rare! This is the first of its type that we've seen.
Captain Gridley was the commander of the USFS Olympia, the flagship of Dewey's Asiatic Squadron, at the Battle of Manila Bay. At the beginning of the battle, Dewey uttered the sentence that became one of the most famous statements in American naval history, which at the same time also immortalized the Olympia's ailing captain: "You may fire when you are ready, Gridley."
Estimated Value $300 - 400.
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