Samuel Slater, The Father of American Manufacturers (Handkerchief) 1890

This handkerchief, celebrating Samuel Slater as "The Father of American Manufacturers," was produced by the Cranston Print Works Company, though its exact date is unknown. The design is printed on cotton, likely using engraved copper rollers to transfer the image to the cloth. The images around the portrait depict scenes from Slater's mills, highlighting the industrial landscape he helped create. What's fascinating is the choice of a humble textile for such a commemorative purpose. Handkerchiefs were everyday items, mass-produced and widely accessible. By imprinting Slater's image on this fabric, the Cranston Print Works Company links his legacy directly to the fruits of industrial labor and capitalist expansion. The handkerchief is a potent reminder that even seemingly mundane objects can carry significant social and cultural weight. Its design underscores the profound impact of manufacturing on American society and the way in which industrial innovation transformed everyday life.