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."
