Stevengraphs
English inventor and weaver Thomas Stevens was among the most successful in adapting the jacquard loom to weaving silk. Based in the English weaving center of Coventry, he first introduced book markers around 1862 followed in 1879 with woven silk pictures and portraits.
By 1900 nearly 70 of these silk images were available and known as “Stevengraphs” (note, not “Stevensgraphs”). In America they were also advertised as “Texilographs” for a period of time. Popular collecting categories of Stevengraphs are portraits (English Royalty, European Royalty, Jockeys, Military leaders, Politicans, Famous Americans and Sportsmen), Religious, Historical and Classical Scenes, Exhibitions, Architecture, Engineering & Vehicles (Castles, Buildings, Bridges, Trains, Boats and Fire Engines), Horse Racing, Fox Hunting, Coaching and other sports.
Dating these various scenes is best accomplished either by the particular printing type style used on the original Stevengraph mat, or by the London address used on the verso label, if present. Stevengraph ribbons can also be dated by the political campaign involved, reunion or business exhibition being promoted or memorialized.
The Stevens firm was merged into another business in 1902 and the traditional woven pictures were discontinued about that time.