Cover, Pillow
Object number2019.123.1 a,b
Date1966-1967
OriginVietnam
MediumSilk; Fabric; Cotton
Credit LineGift of Folmer Family
DescriptionA pair of matching blue, silk pillow covers. The blue silk pillow covers have an embroidered map of Laos, Cambodia, and North and South Vietnam that is labeled with country names, borders, and cities in Vietnamese. The labels are white or pink thread, and the countries are white, pale green, or pink thread; there is a yellow thread diamond pattern over the countries. Edges of covers have a bright orange fringe, and back of covers are white fabric.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (a,b): 16.5 x 19.875 x 0.75 in. (41.9 x 50.5 x 1.9 cm)Inscriptions(a,b) Pink, embroidered text at top of cover: "VIET-NAM".
White and pink embroidered text labeling countries on map: "HA-NOI / AI LAO / THAI-LAN / CAMBOT / SAIGON".
Border marked on the cover: "VI TUYEN 17" (Translated from Vietnamese: 17th Parallel).
Cities marked on the cover: "HUE / DA-NANG / QUI-NHON / NHA-TRANG / VUNG-TAO".
Historical NotesThese matching pillow covers are souvenirs brought back from Vietnam by John A. Folmer for his mother. Folmer grew up in Pittsburgh and attended Oliver High School and later Grove City College, where he graduated from in 1966 with a degree in business. He was drafted into the Vietnam War after graduation and served from 1966 to 1967. Folmer did one tour before being sent to the Army hospital in Valley Forge for arthritis, where he met his wife. They came back to Pittsburgh where he worked for several trucking companies before becoming a mailman. The cities marked in the Saigon area were located in South Vietnam during the war. The pillow covers also name the 17th Parallel, which was the military demarcation line between North and South Vietnam. The divide was decided upon during the 1954 Geneva Accords. It is called vĩ tuyến 17 in Vietnamese, and it is marked that way on the pillow covers.
Previous owner
John A. Folmer
Related institution
Oliver High School
Related institution
Grove City College
Related institution
United States Army
On View
Not on view
1944
1968-1970
2000-2007
1966-1967
1861