"WASHINGTON 1793." Boldly Printed Silk Ribbon to Commemorate George Washington's Second Presidential Inauguration at Philadelphia on March 4th, 1793, believed to have been worn and displayed, Very Fine.
Exceedingly rare original "WASHINGTON 1793." bold black Printed lettering on white Silk Ribbon, measuring 5.5” x 2.25”, produced to Commemorate George Washington's Second Inauguration, held March 4th, 1793 in the Senate Chamber of Congress Hall in Philadelphia. This Second Inauguration for Washington marked several firsts for this young country. It was the first inauguration held in Philadelphia rather than New York City, and President George Washington delivered what remains this shortest Inaugural Address ever given by an American president. In just 135 words, he asked the citizens present to hold him personally accountable should he violate his Oath of Office.

William Cushing, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, administered his oath, and John Adams was sworn in as Vice President, alongside Washington, also for his own second term as Vice President. Ribbons and badges bearing a president's name and a specific year were a common way for citizens to mark and wear their badge of support for such historic occasions. This example has its full wide margins and shows some light wear from use, and traces of prior hinging at its outer margin edges and possibly the outline of a sticker, now removed at the right upper edge as shown. Overall, it is solid and complete with its large "WASHINGTON / 1793." text attractive at center. This rare silk ribbon offers a simple, direct connection piece of that historic moment, a modest textile souvenir from this second and final time Americans watched George Washington take the Presidential oath. Provenance Ex: Collection of Rex Stark.

[Federal Period, Early Republic, 18th Century America] [George Washington, Presidential Inaugurations, John Adams] [Textiles, Ribbons, Political Ephemera]