A Rare Pair Of "Delegate" & "Souvenir" Ribbons From The Second National Convention Of Cattlemen, St. Louis, Mo. Nov. 1885.

Publication: 1885,

A handsome pair of silk ribbons with original attached hardware, framed separately in matching, period walnut frames. Frame dimensions: 11.75"W x 13.75"H; inner gilt frames 8.875"W x 10.625"H. "Texas Live Stock Association Delegate" Ribbon. Silvery-white Silk Ribbon with bold black lettering. Ribbon is suspended from a gold-tone, metal, five-pointed Star, with open center, 2.375" in diameter. Ribbon is 8" long, including 1.5" gold, braided/twisted extensions at bottom edge of ribbon. Ribbon reads: TEXAS LIVE STOCK (large illustration of a bull) ASSOCIATION. DELEGATE SECOND NATIONAL CONVENTION OF CATTLEMEN, ST. LOUIS, MO. Nov.1885. "Souvenir Ribbon."Maroon/burgundy colored Silk Ribbon with bold, gold lettering. Ribbon is suspended from a three-piece silver and gold-tone metal attachment. At top is a silver metal set of longhorns, 3.375"W with two 1" silver chains suspended from underside, to which is attached a 2.25"W x .5"H silver rectangle imprinted with "ST. LOUIS. NOV. 1885", from which a 2" diameter medallion embossed with the heads of a horned cow and a horse, and "SOUVENIR" and "1885" imprinted. The silk ribbon is 2.375"W x 5.5"L. Ribbon reads: "SECOND NATIONAL CONVENTION OF CATTLEMEN UNDER AUSPICES OF NATIONAL CATTLE AND HORSE GROWERS ASSN. OF THE UNITED STATES 1885. This period was the height of the expansion of the Cattle Range. The Texas ranchers and other western ranchers were banding together to address their specific interests and needs with Congress, as it pertained to establishing national guidelines regarding quarantines, branding, grazing rights, and the need for a National Trail from the Red River north through Oklahoma and Kansas, rather than a patchwork of various states or towns regulations. These ribbons are rare historical relics from an important period in the development of the western range cattle industry. We were able to locate the "SOUVENIR" ribbon among the holdings of the St. Charles Heritage Center in St. Charles, Illinois. Of the more rare Texas "Delegate" ribbon, we have been unable to locate another. Frames and ribbons are in very good condition, and are especially rare with the metal hangers/attachments. A handsome display piece, and a truly unique and desirable pair