Maritime, Collectibles, Military, Textile, British Royal Navy Instructional Bandana, c. 1890s
$1,500
Lieutenant Colonel K. Fulton (designer)
Royal British Navy Sailor’s Instructional Bandana
Royal British Navy, England: c. 1892-1899
Printed cotton
27.5 x 32 inches, overall without frame
32.5 x 36.75 x 1 inches, overall as framed
$1,500
“England Expects That Every Man This Day Will Do His Duty.”
A rare 19th-century Royal British Navy neckerchief (bandana, handkerchief) with printed instructions and patriotic slogans for new entrant sailors. It is made of cotton, with black and white printing, the borders and shading a grayish brown. The central image features a compass rose inside a life preserver, superimposed on top of an anchor and surmounted by a naval crown. An inscription on the life preserver reads “England Expects That Every Man This Day Will Do His Duty.” Various pictograms and written instructions offer an introduction to naval life, covering relevant topics such as signals, Morse code, gunnery and weapons handling, uniforms and etiquette, seaman’s songs, and first aid. These bandanas were standard issued as part of the Royal Navy new joiner kit between 1892 and 1899. They were designed and patented by Lieutenant Colonel K. Fulton of the Durham Light Infantry. Another extant example of this neckerchief belongs to the Royal Museums Greenwich, London, England.
This example is offered floated in a wooden frame.
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