[The Stephenson Centenary 1881'.] Well-designed lithographic poster, 'Presented as a memento of the Centennial Commemoration' by Thomas Pumphrey, Newcastle grocer, with central portrait of Stephenson surrounded by seven related engravings.

An extremely attractive memento, no other copy of which has been traced, either on OCLC WorldCat or COPAC. Lithographic printing in black on 57 x 44.5 cm piece of wove paper. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, with slight creasing to margin at one edge, and the merest of spotting. Folded four times. A tasteful production, with superior engravings and design, comprising an excellent central portrait of Stephenson, above a facsimile of his signature, within a substantial decorative border containing seven other engravings: 'Birthplace of George Stephenson at Wylam, Northumberland', 'George Stephenson's Cottage at West Moor', 'First Engine now at Darlington', 'High Level Bridge, Newcastle, designed by Robert Stephenson', 'The Killingworth Engine', 'The Rocket Engine' and 'Stephenson's Monument, Newcastle on Tyne'. The border contains the title 'THE STEPHENSON CENTENARY 1881'. Outside the border, at the foot of the page, in a selection of types and font sizes: 'Presented as a memento of the Centennial Commemoration, by | Thomas Pumphrey, | Grocer, | 48, Cloth Market, Newcastle-on-Tyne.' In small type, beneath the above: '9th JUNE, 1881.' Pumphrey (1833-1911) was a Quaker and teetotaller, whose premises included a coffee shop in which the beans were roasted on the premises.