1591b. STEVENGRAPH VICTORIAN SILK PORTRAIT “Called to the Rescue (A Life Boat Scene)” c. 1879-84. Nicely presented in recent faux wood frame measuring 7 ¾” x 10”. “Stevengraph” as a title was invented by Thomas Stevens to describe his silk pictures, and he later extended it to include his silk bookmarks, silk portraits and silk postcards. Such items were first introduced to the public as a gimmick at the York Exhibition which was opened on 7 May 1879. Over the next three decades, Stevengraphs depicting 188 different themes were produced. The title Stevengraphs later became loosely applied to all the silks of this period produced by other weavers such as Grant, Dalton, & Barton, Welch & Lenton, etc. In the late 1800’s, the silk ribbon weavers of Coventry, England, were experiencing very difficult trading conditions due to changing fashions and cheap imports from abroad. Several silk weavers had already diversified into related activities, and Thomas Stevens was one of these, with his Stevengraphs. Woven in Silk by Thomas Stevens, Called to the Rescue – A Life Boat Scene, measures 5.1 cm high by 15.2 cm wide on buff card-mount: 12.4 cm deep by 19.0 cm wide. A blue lifeboat is shown in a stormy sea going to the assistance of a sinking sailing ship. In other examples of this view “Heroism at Sea” is sometimes omitted, and inconsistent varieties of color exist in the crew’s clothing. This lifeboat rescue scene with the sub-title “Heroism at Sea” forms a pair with “For Life or Death – Heroism on Land” when it can be found. This “Called to the Rescue” scene was registered on 20th February 1880. This scene was inspired by a particularly heroic rescue, and are sometimes found on cards with the following wording printed above the picture: In Memoriam of the eleven brave men of the Life-boat ‘Eliza Adams’ who nobly sacrificed their lives while endeavouring to rescue the crew of the Ocean Queen, off Wells, October 29th, 1880. This special wording may have been added only to examples sold locally at Wells or other near-by seaside towns, and such inscribed specimens could well have been sold at a premium to raise funds for the dependents of the lost men. It is highly probable that they were sold only for a brief period – perhaps for no more than a year after the event – for they are very rarely found today. Based on label and script information, this particular version probably dates from 1879 through 1884. The silk is in very nice, undamaged condition and the colors are still quite bright. One can see bright rose, pale blue and black on the boat. There are no splits, stains or tears. The mount (matte) is of textured buff or brown card used at that time has been retained under the mat, having darkened with age. Rare early life-saving collectible. (VG). $125.