Lady’s glove with a portrait of Lafayette, The United States, 1824–25

In 1824–25 the Marquis de Lafayette made a grand tour of the United States. The outpouring of public affection for the Revolutionary hero left a trail of commemorative silk ribbons, ceramics, household wares, and gloves stamped with Lafayette’s likeness.

The commemorative gloves were a source of consternation for the “Nation’s Guest.” When a lady presented her hand to be kissed, Lafayette was stunned to see his own image there. Offered a gloved hand at a ball in Philadelphia, Lafayette “murmur[ed] a few graceful words to the effect that he did not care to kiss himself, he [then] made a very low bow, and the lady passed on."

Gift of Mrs. E. M. Chapman, 1912

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