Samplings: VI

SAMPLINGS: A selected offering of antique samplers and needlework

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Motto

Centlenefs delights. above all things. to alleviate di~­

·trefSt and if it cannot dry up the fall~ng tear. to sooth at leaft the

grieving heart.~

B.fOlger to [ . Barker jun

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M. Finkel e:J Daughter.

Americana Period Furniture· Early Textiles· Folk Art 936 Pine Street Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19107 215 ·627 ·7797 FAX 215 ·627 ·8199

VOLUME VI

cover photograph:

Betsy Folger, circa 1805, Nantucket, Massachusetts We are quite pleased to offer this rare miniature Nantucket Quaker sampler which was made by Betsy Folger for her cousin Elizabeth Barker, junior. The Quaker influence is quite clear in every aspect of this friendship sampler: faultlessly rendered block lettering, black-brown silk worked onto sheer tiffany linen and the simple "Motto" verse, "Gentleness delights, above all things, to alleviate distress, and if it cannot dry up the falling tear, to sooth at least the grieving heart."

Documented Nantucket samplers are quite rare. Research reveals that Betsy Folger was born August 1795, the daughter of William Folger and Susanna Swain. She worked this sampler for her first cousin Elizabeth Barker, junior, who was born April 18, 1790, the daughter of Josiah Barker and Elizabeth Folger. Betsy's father and Elizabeth's mother were the children of Ruth Coffin and William Folger. A sampler made by Elizabeth's sister, Sally Barker, is shown in Ring's, Girlhood Embroidery, Vol. I, figure 168. This information came from the Quaker records of Nantucket and Nantucket vital records.

The sampler is worked in cross and tent stitch and is in excellent condition. It has been conservation mounted into a period painted and molded frame.

Sampler size: 71/4" X 6" Price: $4,600.

MEMBER

DDDDDDDD CopyrightŠ 1994 by M. Finkel & Daughter, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system now known or to be invented, without permission in writing from M. Finkel & Daughter, Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

SAMPLINGS ...... Volume VI With each issue of SAMPLINGS, we learn more about American samplers and needlework, and continue to be pleased with our good fortune in finding samplers which justify inclusion in our catalogues. In this, our sixth volume, we are offering a large and important sampler from the school of Mrs. D. H. Mundall of Philadelphia and an interesting, diverse group of six family record samplers which includes two particularly rare pieces. The miniature Quaker sampler from Nantucket and the unusually stylish silk embroidery are also noteable. Once again our genealogical research bore fruitful results; we now know the specific identities of the makers of twelve samplers and one silk embroidery included in this catalogue.

The selected bibliography included at the end of the catalogue is regularly updated and we refer to some of the books as they pertain to specific samplers. If any of these books prove to be difficult to procure, let us know and perhaps we can assist in locating them.

Our firm was established in 1947, and we have been at the same location for 43 years. We like to think our positive relationship with clients, many of whom are now second generation, is because of our commitment to customer satisfaction. Buying antiques should be based in large measure on trust and confidence, and we try to treat each customer as we ourselves like to be treated. We operate by appointment and we are at the shop five days a week (except when we are exhibiting at an out-of-town antiques show). Please let us know of your plans to visit us.

Every item in this catalogue is guaranteed to be authentic and original, and you can rely on our expertise in describing each piece as to age and condition. Most of the samplers are described as being "conservation mounted", and where this is noted, the work has been properly done by our own TEXTILE RESTORATION DEPARTMENT. A description of the step-bystep process can be found at the end of this catalogue along with other information about our restoration services.

All merchandise is offered subject to prior sale. Should your first choice be unavailable, we urge you to discuss your collecting objectives with either Amy or Morris Finkel or Nancy Shore. Our inventory is extensive, and we have many items not included in our catalogue. Moreover, through our sources, we can often locate the sampler that you are looking for; you will find us knowledgeable and helpful.

Payment may be made by check, VISA, Mastercard or American Express, and we ask for payment with your order.

Pennsylvania residents should add 6% sales tax. All items are sold with a 5 day return privilege. Expert packing is included; shipping and insurance costs are extra. We prefer to ship via UPS second day air, insured. When you order, we can tell you the cost for shipping and insurance.

Amy Finkel Morris Finkel Nancy Shore

Are you interested in selling? We are constantly purchasing antique samplers and needlework and would like to know what you have for sale. We can purchase outright or act as your agent Photographs sent to us will receive our prompt attention. Call us at215-627-7797 for more information.

M. Finkel e:J Daughter.

Americana Period Furniture· Early Textiles· Folk Art 936 Pine Street Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19107 215·627·7797 FAX215·627·8199

ALPHABETICAL LISTING OF CONTENTS Sophia Billings, 1827, Acton, Massachusetts ........................................................................................... page

9

Catharine Clark, 1812, New England ........................................................................................................ page 18 J. Collins, c. 1815, Education, New England ............................................................................................ page 17 Elizabeth Correy, 1803, Pennsylvania ....................................................................................................... page 28 Captain and Mrs. Crocker, c. 1808, Massachusetts ................................................................................... page 13 Darning Sampler, 1828, Netherlands ........................................................................................................ page 14 Victorine Delacroix, 1833, Philadelphia, Mrs. Mundall's Seminary ................................... ...................... page

3

Lydia Jane Delong, 1846, Pennsylvania .................................................................................................... page 27 Ann Eames, 1791, Holliston, Massachusetts ............................................................................................. page

2

Betsy Folger, c. 1805, Nantucket, Massachusetts ................................................................................... cover page Emma P. Forbes, 1837, Milton Hill, Massachusetts, "We all have our hobbies" ..................................... page 19 Isabella Herron, c. 1840, American .................................................... ....................................................... page 31 Lydia Housekeeper, 1808, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania .................................................................... page 21 Caroline Humphrey, 1803, Norfolk, Connecticut ..................................................................................... page 16 Hunt Scene Silk Embroidery, c. 1790, England ........................................................................................ page 31 Katharine Huston, 1811, Massachusetts ........................................ ..... ................... ................. ................... page 29 Elizabeth Ann Israel, c. 1830, Maine ........................................................................................................ page

4

Sarah Maria Kingsbury, c. 1824, Boston .................................................................................................. page

6

Mary C. Lambord, 1819, American .......................................................................................................... page 12 Hannah Lindeman, c. 1800, New York ............................... ............................ .......................................... page 24 Mary Ann Lovering, 1822, Exeter, New Hampshire ................................................................................ page 24 Lavenia Magraw, 1838, mid-Atlantic states .............................................................................................. page

5

Elizabeth Mayoh, c. 1834, England ........................................................................................................... page 10 Elizabeth Morris, 1803, Trenton or Philadelphia ...................................................................................... page 15 Mary Newport, 1829, England .................................................................................................................. page 30 Sarah Ann Parker, c. 1810, Plattsburgh, New York .................................................................................. page 20 Mary Rhoads, 1832, Milton, Massachusetts ............................................................................................. page 23 Emily Robbins, 1827, New Jersey ............................................................................................................ page 25 Dorcas T. Rowe, 1824, Onondaga, New York .......................................................................................... page 20 Welthe Amira Ruggles, 1818, Massachusetts ........................................................................................... page 11 Sarah Salter, c. 1815, New England, "a present for grandmother" ............................................. .............. page 12 Kitty Sitman, 1812, Burlington, New Jersey ............................................................................................. page

1

Ann Smith, 1809, Westtown School, Chester County, Pennsylvania ....................................................... page 17 Voorhees Family Record, c. 1816, Burlington, New Jersey ..................................................................... page

8

Mary E. Waitt, 1835, Danvers, Massachusetts .......................................................................................... page 22 Elizabeth Warne, c. 1835, Pennsylvania ................................................................................................... page 26 Mary D. Welch, c. 1828, Portland, Maine ................................................................................................. page

7

Sally Williams, c. 1827, western Massachusetts ....................................................................................... page 19

1

Kitty Sitman, 1812, Burlington, New Jersey This important and visually appealing sampler was worked in Burlington County, New Jersey and is inscribed "Kitty Sitman sampler work in the 12th year of her age 1812". Research reveals that the samplermaker was the oldest child of Peter and Rebecca Sitman of the town of Burlington and was born December 8, 1800. This piece exhibits regional characteristics of the southeastern Pennsylvania/southern New Jersey area, well known for the fine samplers produced there in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It was gratifying to uncover documentation that Kitty was from Burlington.

The twelve year old samplermaker worked a splendid scene involving a tall house and a number of small birds, animals and two whimsically weeping willow trees. Her borders are excellent examples of the specific borders found on 18th century samplers from this area.

The sampler is worked in silk on linen and is in excellent condition. It has been conservation mounted into a mid-19th century gold leaf beveled frame.

Sampler size: 18" X 151J2'' Price: $8,500.

M. Finkel e:J Daughter.

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(Detail)

2 Ann Eames, 1791, Holliston, Massachusetts This charming miniature pictorial sampler was worked by Ann Eames of Holliston, Middlesex County, Massachusetts in 1791, when she was nine years old. Ann was born in 1782, the eighth child of Ezra and Sarah (Jones) Eames. They descended from Thomas Eames, who settled in that area in 1674 and stayed despite severe Indian trouble in 1676 (his wife and several children did not survive the attack and other of his children were taken captive).

True miniature samplers are rare and this piece is quite accurate to scale. It is worked in silk on linen and is in excellent condition, conservation mounted into a modem frame.

Sampler size:

5W'x5W' Price: $1,800.

M. Finkel e:J Daughter.

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Victorine Delacroix, 1833, Mrs. Mundall's Seminary, Philadelphia

3

We are quite proud of this outstanding Philadelphia sampler, a stellar example, from Mrs. D.H. Mundall's Seminary; this sampler was worked by Victorine Delacroix in 1833.

Victorine's sampler is one of r;:::;;==-;~~~~;;:=-:;;===::;:;;;::;;;:=::;::;;;,;:;;;;;;,;;;;;;,;;;;;;~~ only three known examples from this school and it is mentioned in Betty Ring's Girlhood Embroidery (Volume II, page 369) and in Bolton & Coe's American Samplers (page 386). Mrs. Deborah Hicks Mundall uniquely seems to have consistently required her pupils to include the actual address of her seminary on their samplers. It is likely that Mrs. Mundall's sense of self promotion was at work. The seminary was listed in Philadelphia city directories from 1828 through 1842 and it is known that Mrs. Mundall taught in New Castle, Delaware prior to her years in Philadelphia.

Our genealogical research revealed the following information: Victorine Delacroix was one of the five children of Mary and Charles J. Delacroix of Filbert Street in Philadelphia. (The initials of her parents appear at the top of the sampler, each in a diamond motif.) Charles J. Delacroix was a "professor of languages"; Victorine married Samuel Robinson on April 12, 1845.

This splendid sampler is quite large, which is consistent with the other pieces from Mrs. Mundall's seminary. It was densely designed and then worked in a variety of stitches which include cross stitch, queens stitch and satin stitch. The line of work above the medium blue row of queens stitch (near the top of the sampler) is unusual in that it is a progression of Roman numerals. The lower half of the sampler displays trees on hillocks, baskets of fruit, parrots, dogs and a two-handled urn. The cartouche, which surrounds the name of the maker and the date, is charmingly looped over the wrists of the pair of angels that support it. Certainly, this piece is unusually rich in its context and background. It was worked in silk on linen and is in excellent condition, conservation mounted into a later pine frame.

Sampler size: 26W' X 23 1/4" Price: $14,500.

M. Finkel e:J Daughter.

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4 Elizabeth Ann Israel, circa 1830, probably Maine This exuberant pair of samplers well represents the peak of fanciful needlework reached in New England circa 1830. Obviously these needlework pictures served no purpose other than to decorate, and to flaunt the skills of the maker. They were signed by Elizabeth Ann Israel; another existing sampler made by this same young lady documents the year of her birth as 1820 and that sampler, in a more traditional marking format, was worked when she was eight years old. These samplers descended in Cumberland County, Maine which is most likely where they were made; the 1830 Maine Census records an Israel family residing in Portland, Cumberland County.

Each of these has much to recommend it. The single low geometric-patterned basket with its over-scaled tulip bursting forth is tempered by the curvaceous flowers and buds that flank it. The other sampler enjoys the advantage that the two miniature baskets provide. Both pieces are worked primarily in long stitches of crinkled silk and are highly lustrous. They are both in excellent condition, worked in silk on linen and are each conservation mounted into mid-19th century frames.

Size of samplers: each approximately 9" x 8" Price for the pair: $6,800.

M. Finkel

es Daughter.

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5

Lavenia Magraw, 1838, mid-Atlantic states It is a pleasure to offer this large and splendid sampler, clearly the work of an enthusiastic needleworker. The double chimney brick house, many varied floral sprays, lattice-worked basket and vigorous butterflies float gracefully around a blue inner border. La venia's choice of verse, often referred to as "the first efforts of an infant's hand," is considered by Betty Ring to be the most popular sampler verse of the period (see Girlhood Embroidery, Volume I, page 166).

La venia's sampler shares elements with pieces from the Delaware/Maryland area, and in fact our research reveals farmer William Magraw, his wife and their three children in Somerset County, Maryland listed in the 1840 census and again in the 1850 census. The samplermaker included two sets of initials at the top of her pieces and it is to be assumed that these would be the initials of her parents; we can see that William Magraw may well have been her father.

The sampler is in excellent condition with a few minor holes to the linen. It has been conservation mounted into a mid-19th century walnut frame with a gilt liner.

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M. Finkel e:l Daughter.

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Sampler size:

20W'

X

171fz''

Price: $5,500.

6

Genealogical Needlework Genealogical needlework samplers, often bearing the title "Family Record" or "Family Register", are prized for their form as well as their content. The first third of the 19th century saw a flowering of this style of sampler, well documented in the book Family Record, published by the D.A.R. in conjunction with a definitive exhibition at their Washington, D.C. headquarters in 1989. We rarely are able to offer more than a few of these pieces at any given time and are pleased to offer the following six samplers, all excellent examples of this form. Each sampler is ornamental as well as informative and shows its own particular regional characteristics. As pointed out in Family Record, "the majority of American examples were made in Massachusetts between 1810 and 1830" and Massachusetts is certainly well represented here by three delightful examples. The grouping also includes an outstanding sampler from Portland, Maine entitled "Genealogy", a distinguished Quaker piece from New Jersey, and a rare English family register.

Sarah Maria Kingsbury, circa 1824, Boston This lustrous family register sampler documents the family of Jesse and Sarah (Fisk) Kingsbury of Boston; it was worked by their eldest daughter, Sarah Maria Kingsbury, circa 1824. The sampler chronicles their births, marriage, and the births of their children. Jesse Kingsbury appears in the Massachusetts census reports of 1810 through 1840 living in Boston and it would seem that the children were born, raised and educated there. A handwritten note that accompanied this piece indicates that it was worked in 1824 (Sarah would have been 12 years of age), and that she later married Luther Crane and "died at Cambridge April 19th 1877."

The deep sawtooth borders and lustrous rose and vine borders were executed in the satin stitch, and all of the information was worked in the cross-stitch. Positively amusing is the fact that every single lower case "s" on the sampler was worked backwards, with the exception of the last one! It is likely that the sampler was framed immediately after it was made, since later family information was not added into the blank areas to the right. The sampler was worked in silk on linen, is in very good condition, and has been conservation mounted into a 19th century gilt frame.

Sampler size: 16W' X 16" Price: $3,000.

es

M. Finkel Daughter.

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7 Mary D. Welch, circa 1828, Portland, Maine The town of Portland, Maine, a thriving seaport in the early 19th century, was also the town that "produced the largest and most important groups of Maine embroideries and striking samplers .... The samplers and needlework pictures of Portland are easily recognized, and both forms reflect the extraordinary interest in genealogies that endured in this region in the first forty years of the nineteenth century." (Ring, Girlhood Embroidery Volume I, page 249). We are very pleased to offer a rare and important example from this town, the Welch family genealogy.

Mary D. Welch was born January 18, 1816 to James Welch and Mary Stanford, who had been married on February 18, 1814. The death of James Welch, recorded on this sampler was also reported in the Portland newspaper, the Eastern Argus, on November 13, 1816: James Welch died at the age of 25 on November 7 at Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Her parents had both died before her second birthday and this sampler most probably would have been worked when Mary was approximately twelve years old, in 1828, as a genealogical record. Her solidly worked townscape is quite similar to others from Portland and served as an opportunity to demonstrate various stitches. The leafy tree at the left, for example, was worked in the single buttonhole stitch.

The sampler is unusual in that the fine and complicated queen stitch vine and rose borders were carried over from the 1803-1815 period of Portland genealogical sampler design. This particular border is very rarely found on samplers that were produced after about 1815. The sampler is in excellent condition, worked in silk on linen and has been conservation mounted into a lovely curly cherry frame with an ebonized beaded edge.

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Sampler size: 17"x16" Price: $8,500.

(Detail)

M. Finkel & Daughter.

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8 Voorhees Family Record, circa 1816, Burlington County, New Jersey While the form of the genealogical sampler was much in fashion in New England, it was substantially less popular in the mid-Atlantic states; our refined New Jersey Quaker sampler is therefore considered to be relatively rare. Interestingly, we do not know which of the Voorhees daughters worked this piece. While the individual identity of the maker was apparently deemed unimportant relative to the documentation of the entire family, it is notable that credit was given to the samplermaker's teacher, Mary Ann Bishop.

The family was from Burlington County, New Jersey, where Elias Voorhees' will of 1837 is registered. While they were not Quakers, they did send their daughter to a school which taught traditional Quaker needlework, and the Bishop family was a prominent one in the Burlington Monthly Meeting.

This sampler was worked in silk on linen, is in excellent condition and has been mounted into a later veneer frame.

Sampler size: 181J4'' X 17'' Price: $3,200.

es

M. Finkel Daughter.

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9

Sophia Billings, 1827, Acton, Massachusetts Highly desirable genealogical samplers in the form of fruit laden apple trees rising from a pair of linked hearts were worked in the Middlesex County, Massachusetts area from the 1790's through the early 1830's. Our handsome example was worked by Sophia Billings of Acton, Massachusetts in 1827 when she was 14 years of age, and is the only one that we have ever known to include the pair of miniature willow trees flanking the interlaced hearts. These types of samplers are discussed in Volume I of Ring's Girlhood Embroidery, page 78, and in Edmonds' Samplers and Samplermakers, page 64.

This sampler records the marriage of Rebeckah Hapgood to Jonathan Billings (a clockmaker) and the births of their nine children, Sophia being the eldest.

Two of their sons died in infancy as noted on the top two "apples". We know much about the history of Sophia's maternal family: her ancestor, Shadrach Hapgood, arrived in Boston in July of 1656 on the Speedwell at age 14 years. The ensuing generations of Hapgoods prospered in various local towns, moving to Acton in 1753. Sophia's father, Jonathan Billings was a clockmaker and has been identified as an apprentice to Aaron Willard, well-known clockmaker from Grafton, Massachusetts. In September of 1840, Sophia married Charles Robinson of Bedford, Massachusetts; she died in 1882. The sampler is in excellent condition, worked in lovely shades of teal blue, beige and gold silk on linen, and is conservation mounted into a beveled curly maple frame.

Sampler size: 17W' X 163/4" Price: $9,500.

M. Finkel e:J Daughter.

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(Detail)

10 Elizabeth Mayoh, circa 1834, Stockport, England According to Family Record, "genealogical needlework may be an American invention. English examples are extremely rare, date after 1830 and derive from American examples." Thus we were pleased to have discovered this delightful family register sampler made by Elizabeth Mayoh of Stockport, a town southeast of Manchester. Her sampler records the marriage of her parents, William Mayoh and Rachel Crowshaw, in 1816 in Bolton, northwest of Manchester. Elizabeth was born September 11, 1822 and it would seem that she worked this sampler circa 1834, later adding the birth of Jane Lydia Mayoh in June of 1835 with a differently colored silk floss.

The sixteen cross stitched roses function as the border, each with its bud facing towards the framed register of vital records.

The silk was worked onto wool and is in very good condition with two small holes. The sampler is conservation mounted into a 19th century gold frame.

Sampler size: 17W' X 15 3/4" Price: $2,400.

M. Finkel e9 Daughter.

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11

Welthe Amira Ruggles, 1818, Massachusetts This large and beautifully worked family register is clearly the product of an ambitious teacher and an energetic needleworker. The vital information regarding the family is tightly worked inside a graceful small scale floral vine beneath four alphabets and a numerical progression. An appropriate and somber verse sits above the splendidly worked inscription which presents the name and age of the needleworker "Welthe Amira Ruggles aged 14" in reverse coloration using the tent and queens stitch. The sprig of violets worked in the buttonhole stitch introduces a lovely shade of blue to the sampler, and the undulating tambour stitched border features crinkled silk flat stitched flowers with french knot interiors.

Welthe Amira Ruggles was the daughter of Thomas Hutchinson and Sarah Caster Fowler, who were married on October 14th, 1800. Their birthdates, the birthdates of their seven children and the date of the death of one daughter are recorded.

Stylistically, it is clear that the sampler was made in Massachusetts and our genealogical research to pinpoint the location of the family in the late 18th and early 19th centuries will continue.

The sampler is worked in silk on linen, is in excellent condition, and has been conservation mounted into a 19th century frame.

Sampler size: 24W' X 20lf4'' Price: $3,400.

M. Finkel e:J Daughter.

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12 Sarah Salter, circa 1815, New England This endearing little sampler is inscribed: "Sarah Salter worked this in the 8th year of her age A present for Grandmother" and it is unusual to find a sampler with a specific dedication. This piece is certainly American and most likely was made in New England dating circa 1815.

Eight year old Sarah chose pale and lovely shades of silk floss to work her flower baskets, trees, hearts, bird and miniature scenes of young girls. The sampler is worked in silk on linen and is in excellent condition, conservation mounted into a fine early 19th century frame with the original paint decoration.

Sampler size: 10" X 12W' Price: $2,250.

Mary C. Lambord, 1819, American This expanded marking sampler was "Worked by Mary C. Lambord Octr. 12 in the 9 nth year of her age 1819." She used predominantly a lovely shade of blue silk and included three wonderful low baskets each with foliage and a bird. Her border designs were unusual in that the side borders are identical to one another but different than both top and bottom. The sampler is worked in silk on linen, in excellent condition and conservation mounted into a late 19th century oak frame.

Sampler size: 16" X 12W' Price: $1,200.

M. Finkel & Daughter.

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Silk Embroidered Mourning Picture, Captain and Mrs. Crocker, circa 1808, Massachusetts

13

According to Betty Ring (Girlhood Embroidery, Volume I, page 21) the majority of early 19th century mourning pieces "appear to have been made as a record and a decoration, rather than an expression of current grief, and they were the result of fashion rather than melancholy."

Our very handsome example, made for Captain Zacheus Crocker, who died August 20th, 1806, and his wife Bathsheba Crocker, who died October 29th, 1807, was most certainly worked by their only daughter, Achsah Crocker. She would have been approximately 18 years old when she worked this mourning embroidery, and was clearly interested in creating a decorative and fashionable picture. The delicately rendered parasols, veils, and clothing (including the embroidery of the gentleman's stockings) is wonderfully balanced by the vigorous needlework forming the trees and ground.

It is clear that Achsah Crocker was working under the instruction of a fine teacher of needlework.

Captain Zacheus Crocker was born in Barnstable, Massachusetts in Cape Cod in 173 7. He was a captain in the Revolutionary War and apparently a man of some influence. Captain Crocker was a delegate to the Massachusetts Convention of 1788 which was called to consider the new federal constitution. By about 1790 he was living in Sunderland (Franklin County) and married his second wife, the widow Bathsheba Caswell Smith. With their daughter Achsah, they later moved to Malden (Essex County), where Captain and Mrs. Crocker are buried. It is interesting to note that the three mourners depicted in this picture are, no doubt, the needleworker and her two older half-siblings. These three children were the only surviving children of Captain Crocker by the year 1808.

This silk embroidery is in excellent condition, wrought in silk and paint on silk with the epitaph printed onto paper which was then applied to the silk. The reverse paint mat is a later replacement which follows the exact outline of the picture. The piece has been conservation mounted into a gilt frame, also a later replacement.

Needlework size: 17" x 20" Price: $5,500.

M. Finkel e9 Daughter.

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(Detail)

14

Darning Sampler, 1828, Netherlands We are pleased to offer this lovely and particularly delicate Dutch darning sampler. It is dated 1828 and is a praiseworthy example of this fascinating form, which teaches the casual observer how darning was learned, providing a graphic needlework picture while doing so. Of the worked areas, nine began with a square hole cut from the fabric and discarded. The silk floss was worked along the warp and weft of the fabric to recreate the intricate and richly patterned fabrics of the early 19th century. One of these holes was cut into the comer of the fabric and silk floss was then used to reweave this area- a particularly rigorous test. The samplermaker exhibited further skill in her execution of needle lace, a square of which appears in the center upheld by two angels.

Four sets of initials appear along with the date, ANNO 1828, surrounded by a vine border with carnations in each comer.

Worked in silk on cotton and in excellent condition, it has been mounted into a gold frame.

Sampler size: 19" X 19W' Price: $2,450.

es

M. Finkel Daughter.

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15 Elizabeth Morris, 1803, Trenton, NJ or Philadelphia There is an exquisite presence to this important needlework picture, only the second known example of this specific group to have surfaced. Inscribed "Elizabeth Morris's Work In the 12 Year of Her Age 1803", the samplermaker also recorded her birthdate (March 3, 1791) and those of her parents, John Morris (July 7, 1768) and Margaret Morris (November 14, 1769). From the extensive family history that accompanies this sampler we know that the family had strong ties to Trenton and Philadelphia. It is likely that the family lived in Trenton; however, the ambitious design and sophisticated execution of this piece could point to Philadelphia as the location of the school Elizabeth Morris attended. Elizabeth Morris married Charles Burroughs circa 1810 and they were the parents of nine children; she died in 1828 and is buried in the church yard of the First Presbyterian Church of Trenton.

The needlework picture, while not a "sampler" in a traditional format, is remarkable for the overall narrative quality of its structure. The upper third of the piece, separated by a shimmering fence and gate, depicts a delightful genre scene between two houses -- the gentleman with his hat in hand is leading his horse uphill towards a lady in her garden. A lush, bucolic setting dominates the lower portion of the piece. The stream populated with birds and fish is an image rarely found in needlework and does appear in an almost identical format on the Tindall sampler, the other known piece from this group.

The wooded area of both the Tindall and our Morris sampler is entitled "CEDER PARK" and is worked in cross stitch.

Worked in lustrous silk onto a very tight linen, this piece is in very good condition and has been conservation mounted into a 19th century walnut frame.

Sampler size: 21 1/4" X 18 1/4" Price: $12,000.

M. Finkel e:l Daughter.

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(Detail)

16 Caroline Humphrey, 1830, Norfolk, Connecticut We are always grateful to the young samplermakers who included the name of their town on their sampler, as in the case of this charming Litchfield County, Connecticut piece. Genealogical research reveals Caroline Humphrey to be the youngest of seven children of Dudley and Polly (Phelps) Humphrey, who were both natives of Norfolk. Dudley Humphrey was the town clerk of Norfolk in the late 18th century. Caroline was born on August 16th, 1820, married Abel Camp, also of Norfolk, in March of 1841, and they were the parents of one daughter.

This sampler was made by Caroline when she was nine years old, and was completed on August 5, 1830. She included a particularly appealing aphorism: "Love god love truth love virtue and be happy" along with a small house, variously worked flowers, and two queen stitched strawberries. Silk on linen, in excellent condition, mounted into a fine mahogany and maple frame.

Sampler size: 161/4" X 14 3/4" Price: $3,400.

M. Finkel e:J Daughter.

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Ann Smith, 1809, Westtown School, Chester County, Pennsylvania

17

Our Quaker geometric medallion and motif sampler is initialed "A. S. "; a listing of the students who attended the Westtown School in Chester County, Pennsylvania reveals the needleworker to be Ann Smith of Philadelphia. She entered the school in the "4th month" of 1809 and was the only young lady with those initials at the school that year. The spelling of the school's name varied widely from its inception in 1799 until well into the 1860's, with "Weston" appearing with relative frequency.

This sampler is very finely worked predominantly in green silk (blue silk was far more typically worked on Westtown samplers) and exhibits many classic Quaker motifs beyond the geometric medallions: the lily of the valley, paired doves, wreath cartouche, rose spray, and so on.

For a similar example, see the sampler on page 43 of Schiffer's Historical Needlework of Pennsylvania, made in 1800 and signed "H.P. Weston School".

Ann Smith's sampler is in excellent condition and has been conservation mounted into an early 19th century mahogany frame with a yellow beaded edge.

Sampler size: lOW' X 123/4" Price: $4,200.

J. Collins, circa 1815, New England An appealing example of New England needlework, this sampler features two interesting verses under the title "Education". Both of the verses are listed in Bolton and Coe's American Samplers. The first is by Alexander Pope: "Tis education forms the common mind Just as the twig is bent the trees inclin'd." The second is less well known: "Delightful task to rear the tender thought to teach the young idea how to shoot," from "The Seasons" by James Thomson. The delightful scene at the bottom includes a house, oversized tulip and leafless tree.

The polychrome silks were worked onto unbleached linen and the sampler is in excellent condition. It has been conservation mounted into a fine tiger maple frame.

Sampler size: 16" X 10" Price: $1,850.

M. Finkel ~ Daughter.

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18 Catharine Clark, 1812, New England Young Catharine Clark, "aged ten years", worked a particularly graceful sampler in 1812; her verse, landscape, cartouche and borders practically float on the linen. The luminous red floss used for the verse and inscription, "On the works of Creation," contrasts with the deep green and gold meticulously worked to form the landscape scene and the blue, teal and gold of the fluid borders. At the center near the top is a cross stitched butterfly, barely visible and quite endearing.

The sampler descended in Windham County, Connecticut, and was most likely made in the eastern part of the state. It is worked in silk on linen, is in excellent condition and has been conservation mounted into an early 20th century frame.

Sampler size: 191jz'' X 161/4" Price: $3,850.

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M. Finkel e9 Daug..ter.

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Sally Williams, circa 1827, western Massachusetts We are delighted to offer this visually appealing sampler that may hold the key to the identification of the teacher of the "White Dove" samplers of the Deerfield area (Ring, Girlhood Embroidery, Vol. I, page 146).

This sampler was worked by Sally Williams at age 11, and names her teacher as M.D. Williams. Extensive research leads us to Sally Williams of Ashfield, Massachusetts (just west of Deerfield) who was born on January 2, 1816, the daughter of Daniel and Sally Williams.

Her teacher is, in all likelihood, Mercy D. Williams, also of Ashfield, who married Reverend Orsimus Tinker of New Market, New Hampshire early in the year 1831.

The sampler depicts a fine house and lawn, with trees, birds, baskets and flower pots with, of course, two large scale white doves which, in this case, were actually rendered in blue silk cross-stitch. An unusual border was worked by combining satin stitched diamonds with french knots resulting in an uncommon and graphic image. Silk on linen, in excellent condition, conservation mounted into a black painted frame.

Sampler size:

15" X 151J2'' Price: $5,700.

Emma P. Forbes, 1837, Milton Hill, Massachusetts During the month of April in 1837, Emma P. Forbes worked an endearing little marking sampler in the village of Milton Hill, just south of Boston. She ended her work with an amusing aphorism not typically found on samplers: "We all have our hobbies ... " While we, of course, will never know specifically what she was referring to, we cannot disagree. This lovely sampler is worked in silk on linen and is in excellent condition, conservation mounted into a black painted frame.

Sampler size:

93/4"

X 81/4"

Price: $1,850

M. Finkel (S Daughter.

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20 Samplers from the upper region of New York state are considered uncommon; we are fortunate to be able to offer two such samplers.

Dorcas T. Rowe, 1824, Onondaga, New York There is a precision to this tightly worked sampler that clearly indicates that the young samplermaker, Dorcas T. Rowe, aged ten, was working under the tutelage of a particularly demanding teacher; the miniaturized verse, inscription, final alphabet, and the fine tendrils of the vines were impeccably rendered.

The sampler was worked in the town of Onondaga, New York, outside Syracuse, and was completed on September 21st, 1824. It was worked in silk and linen on linen and is in excellent condition, conservation mounted into a fine 19th century frame with original paint decoration.

Sampler size: 91j2'' X 15" Price: $2,450.

Sarah Ann Parker, circa 1810, Plattsburgh, New York Worked predominately in blue silk, this charming example is inscribed "Sarah Ann Parker, Plattsburgh" and dates circa 1810. It is likely that the samplermaker had anticipated working a border, but we are pleased that she inscribed her name and the name of her town between the two very stylish urns. Plattsburgh is in the north east comer of the state on the Saranac River, quite close to the Canadian border. The sampler was worked in silk on linen, is in excellent condition and has been conservation mounted into a 19th century gilt frame.

Sampler size: 121j4'' X 11" Price: $1,400.

es

M. Finkel Daughter.

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21 Lydia Housekeeper, 1808, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Philip Housekeeper, a farmer and blacksmith, and his wife Mary lived in Drumore township, Lancaster County with their three sons and five daughters; their second-to-youngest daughter Lydia worked this fine small sampler in 1808, when she was ten years old. It is highly unusual to find a sampler sewn to a decoratively cut paper backing, and in fact this is the only known example. This is the original scalloped paper, complete with small needleworked comer rosette decorations. Perhaps this sampler was not taken to a framer originally, but was tacked to the wall by its "paper frame." After all, the Housekeepers did have five daughters, and each may have produced more than a few samplers.

Lydia married Malin Pusey and they had two daughters, Mary and Lydia; she died early in the 1840's and her daughters are listed in the 1845 Lancaster County will of their grandmother, Mary Housekeeper, as the heirs to Lydia's share of the bed linens, wearing apparel, and household items.

The sampler is a delightful combination of alphabets, floral motifs, family initials and inscription. Lydia has also included the initials "R.W.", which are no doubt those of her teacher. Worked in silk on linen and sewn to wove paper, the sampler is in excellent condition and has been conservation mounted into an early 19th century painted frame.

Sampler size: 11" X llW' Price: $4,000.

M. Finkel ~ Daughter.

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22 Mary E. Waitt, 1835, Danvers, Massachusetts Ten year old Mary Elizabeth Waitt of Danvers, Massachusetts worked this neat and refined sampler under the tutelage of "Instructress Susan Huse" in 1835. The influence of Quaker design shows clearly in the block letter alphabets and the choice of blue, beige, and dark brown silks. Samplers produced in the Quaker design appear to have been produced in the Danvers area in some quantity.

Our samplermaker was the daughter of Samuel and Harriet (Carter) Waitt, born in April1825; she married George Rackliff of Salem in February 1846. Our attempts to identify the instructress reveal a Mrs. Susan Huse (1792- 1849) of Essex County, Massachusetts. The sampler was worked in silk on linen and is in excellent condition, conservation mounted into a black painted and molded frame.

Sampler size: 12'/2'' X 12" Price: $1,625.

M. Finkel t;;j Daughter.

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Mary Rhoads, 1832, Milton, Massachusetts It is not often that we find a needlework picture as lovely as this large and painterly example that was worked in 1832 by Mary Rhoads of Milton, Massachusetts, just south of Boston. The theorem-like composition of loosely arranged flowers in a footed bowl would have been considered quite fashionable in the early 1830's. Interesting to note is the publication of Flora's Interpreter, or the American Book of Flowers and Sentiments, by Mrs. Sarah J. Hale in 1832 in Boston. Clearly it was very stylish to show off one's knowledge of the symbolic "language" of flowers.

The needleworker employed the whip stitch for almost the entire picture, an unlikely but effective choice of stitch. The silk worked onto silk produced a muted sheen which is beautifully offset by the original maple and mahogany frame, which also would have been the very latest design. This piece is in excellent condition.

Sampler size:

14" X 15W' Price: $7,500.

M. Finkel e:J Daughter.

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24 Hannah Lindeman, circa 1800, New York A recognizable group of samplers, often referred to as the Adam and Eve samplers of New York, represents according to Betty Ring in Girlhood Embroidery, Volume II, page 297 "the most enduring sampler style made in America. The motifs of the earliest examples (1746-1768) were carried into the nineteenth century with amazing fidelity." These motifs include Adam and Eve "in tutus" with Eve's hair swinging below her uplifted arm, the airy fruit tree, this particular serpent-wrapped apple tree and the large black bird, all of which appear on this delightful example. It was signed by the maker, Hannah Lindeman, in cross stitch; the letters of her name, which are the only letters to appear on the sampler, are spaced out along the bottom of this small and carefully worked piece.

This sampler is worked in silk on linen, is in excellent condition and has been conservation mounted into a tiger maple beveled frame.

Sampler size:

9W' X 121/4" Price: $4,200.

Mary Ann Lovering, 1822, Exeter, New Hampshire Utilizing rich polychrome shades of silk to their best advantage, Mary Ann Lovering of Exeter, New Hampshire worked this delightful sampler when she was eleven years old. Her choice of verse, which is often referred to as "the first efforts of an infant's hand," is considered the period's most popular sampler verse (see Lavenia Magraw, page 5, this catalogue). The densely worked satin stitched borders frame her needlework in an unusually graphic fashion.

Mary Ann was born October 23, 1811 to Benjamin and Sally (Swansey) Lovering of Rockingham, Exeter township, New Hampshire. Her marriage to Abram Tyler of Freedom, New Hampshire and the births of their four children were recorded in a Tyler family genealogy published in 1912. At some time, most likely many years after completion of the sampler, the samplermaker pulled out the threads that indicated the date of completion (immediately to the right of "aged 11 years"), no doubt for the purpose of concealing her age. The sampler is worked in silk on linen, is in excellent condition, and has been conservation mounted into a 19th century gilt frame.

Sampler size: 12" X llW' Price: $2,600.

M. Finkel e:J Daughter.

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25 Emily Rob bins, 1827, New Jersey This whimsical and richly worked sampler descended in Upper Freehold township, Monmouth County, New Jersey, where historically the Robbins family had been large and prominent. Emily Robbins worked her sampler in an unusual fashion; her house, fence and trees sit atop a wonderful green lawn worked in merino wool in the satin stitch. This fully worked area presents baskets, birds, flowers, cats and other animals and motifs. While these patterns are not by themselves unusual, the careful placement in a solidly stitched arena is rarely seen. The stars and crescent moon above the house would also have to be noted as rarely found on samplers of any sort.

The palette of colors is quite lovely; the liberal use of blue and teal silk is effective with both the pale linen and moss green wool. The sampler is in its original mahogany veneer frame and the original pine back board is inscribed with the date 1827, no doubt the year that the sampler was made and framed. It is in excellent condition and has been conservation mounted.

Sampler size: 17W' X 17W' Price: $4,800.

M. Finkel e:J Daughter.

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26

Elizabeth Warne, circa 1835, Pennsylvania This colorful Pennsylvania sampler exhibits some wonderfully developed Quaker design motifs as well as the influence of Pennsylvania German schools of needlework. The floral sprays, center cartouche and squirrels are Quaker in origin while the reclining stag and facing lions are Germanic. The sampler is very similar to another piece that we owned some years ago, which was dated 1832.

Elizabeth was most likely the daughter of either Elisha Warne of Philadelphia or Felix Warne of Bucks County; they were the only families with this last name in southeastern Pennsylvania in the 1830 Pennsylvania census. Further research may reveal more specifics.

The sampler was worked in wool on linen and is in very good condition with slight loss to the wool. It has been conservation mounted into its original fine mahogany veneer frame.

Sampler size: 17W' X 161/4" Price: $2,650.

M. Finkel e9 Daughter.

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27 Lydia Jane Delong, 1846, probably Montour County, Pennsylvania A particularly decorative sampler, this piece descended in Montour County, Pennsylvania with a Washingtonville history. It is inscribed "Lydia Jane Delong's work October 1846" and seems to depict a public building which may have been important to that town at that time. It is likely that the samplermaker was the daughter of Henry and Magdalena Delong- who, with their three children, were the only family of that name in the township listed in the 1850 Pennsylvania census.

Lydia Jane's sampler shows the clear influence of Quaker designs in many of the motifs: rose buds, carnations, baskets, birds and lilies. Her typical cautionary verse is a counterpoint to these decorative and colorful images. The sampler is worked in wool and silk on linen and is in excellent condition. It has been conservation mounted into a cherry frame with bird's eye maple corner blocks.

Sampler size: 16" X 163/4" Price: $4,200.

M. Finkel t;:j Daughter.

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28 Elizabeth Correy, 1803, probably Pennsylvania This richly colored and endearing sampler shows influence of the Pennsylvania Germans and was most likely made in southeastern Pennsylvania. It is inscribed "Elizabeth Correy Her work I In February 1803" above the many and various motifs which include a striped vase, fat bird, and geometric star. It is worked in silk on linen, is in excellent condition, and has been conservation mounted into a 19th century frame with the original red paint.

Sampler size:

13W' X lOW' Price: $2,850.

M. Finkel e9 Daughter.

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Katharine Huston, 1811, Massachusetts This beautifully wrought sampler was worked predominantly in crinkled silk on a very dense khaki-colored linen and is signed: "Katharine Huston's sampler perform'd in the autumn of 1811 in the 9th year of her age." Young Katharine worked her shimmering flowers and thorny vines in the flat stitch and included three alphabets, inscription and verse in the cross stitch; the six deep pink hillocks across the bottom are also fully worked in the flat stitch. The floral border is quite similar to the work on many fine samplers that were made in eastern Massachusetts.

The sampler is in excellent condition and has been conservation mounted into a fine tiger maple beveled frame.

Sampler size: 17W' X 161j4'' Price: $3,250

M. Finkel & Daughter.

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Mary Newport, 1829, England This handsome sampler well represents the many motif and verse samplers made in the British Isles throughout the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It is balanced in its design, precise in its execution and cautionary in its verse. Mary Newport included a plethora of classic sampler motifs: deer, baskets, squirrels, birds, trees, and flowers. She finished her sampler on May 7, 1829, and it has remained in its original black painted frame with a gilt liner. Silk on linen, it is in very good condition and conservation mounted.

Sampler size: 19" X 121f2'' Price: $1,750.

M. Finkel e:l Daughter.

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Isabella Herron, circa 1840, American This charming little needlework picture, worked by Isabella Herron, circa 1840, features a red cottage in cross stitch set on a green ricestitched lawn. The pair of trees frame the house protectively with the name of the needleworker worked above. It is worked in wool onto penelope linen and is in excellent condition, conservation mounted into a fine period bird's-eye maple frame.

Sampler size: 73/4" X 93/4" Price: $1,850.

Hunt scene silk embroidery, circa 1790, England Our stylish silk embroidered picture depicts a subject rarely seen in needlework: a hunt scene. It is a tightly worked English example, and dates from the end of the 18th century. This needlework picture was included in the loan exhibition of the 1994 Philadelphia Antiques Show, which was entitled In the Sporting Tradition. It remains in its original Hogarth frame, which retains its framer's label from the town of Portsea. Worked in silk and paint on silk, it is in excellent condition.

Sampler size:

lOW'

X

17W'

Price: $2,600.

M. Finkel & Daughter.

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SELECTED NEEDLEWORK BIBLIOGRAPHY Allen, Gloria Seaman. Family Record Genealogical Watercolors and Needlework.

Washington, DC: DAR Museum, 1989.

Bolton, Ethel Stanwood, and Coe, Eva Johnston. American Samplers.

Boston: The Massachusetts Society of the Colonial Dames of America, 1921.

Edmonds, Mary Jaene. Samplers and Samplermakers, An American Schoolgirl Art 1700-1850.

New York: Rizzoli, 1991.

Epstein, Kathy. An Anonymous Woman Her Work Wrought In The 17th Century.

Curious Works Press, 1992.

Hersh, Tandy and Charles. Samplers of the Pennsylvania Germans.

Birdsboro, Pa.: Pennsylvania German Society, 1991.

Krueger, Glee F. A Gallery of American Samplers: The Theodore H Kapnek Collection.

New York: E.P. Dutton, 1978.

New England Samplers to 1840.

Sturbridge, Mass.: Old Sturbridge Village, 1978.

Ring, Betty. American Needlework Treasures.

New York: E.P. Dutton, 1987.

Girlhood Embroidery: American Samplers & Pictorial Needlework, 1650-1850.

Knopf, 1993.

Let Virtue Be a Guide to Thee: Needlework in the Education of Rhode Island Women, 1730-1820.

Providence: The Rhode Island Historical Society, 1983.

Schiffer, Margaret B. Historical Needlework of Pennsylvania.

New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1968.

Schorsch, Anita. Mourning Becomes America: Mourning Art in the New Nation.

Clinton, New Jersey: The Main Street Press, 1976.

Studebaker, Sue. Ohio Samplers, School Girl Embroideries 1803-1850.

Warren County Historical Society, 1988.

Swan, Susan B. A Winterthur Guide to American Needlework.

New York: Crown Publishers, 1976.

Plain and Fancy: American Women and Their Needlework, 1700-1850.

New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1977.

M. Finkel e9 Daughter.

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ANTIQUE TEXTILE RESTORATION SERVICE Our Textile Restoration Department is well qualified to handle your needs for proper conservation and restoration of your valuable antique textiles. We use only the best archival and acid-free materials, and employ museum-approved techniques.

Our goal is to safely conserve your antique pieces, keeping in mind the needs of both the collector and the collection.

SAMPLERS AND NEEDLEWORK In the past five years we have handled approximately 600 samplers and silk embroideries in our restoration department.

Below is a description of the step-by-step process that we employ in our "Conservation mounting": 0 Carefully clean the piece using our special vacuum process.

0 Mount it by means of hand-sewing onto acid-free museum board that has been slip-cased with fabric appropriate to the piece itself, and at the same time stabilize any holes or weak areas.

0 Refit the item back into its original frame, or custom-make a reproduction of an 18th or early 19th century frame using one of our exclusive patterns.

0 Supply a reverse painted black glass mat, if appropriate, done in the correct antique manner.

0 When necessary, we can install True VueÂŽ Conservation Clear glass which blocks 97% of the harmful Ultra-violet light.

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In the framing process, the needlework is properly spaced away from the glass, the wooden frame is sealed, and the dust cover is attached with special archival tape.

QUILTS, COVERLETS, HOOKED RUGS AN TABLE RUGS While we do not provide cleaning services for these large textiles, we are expert in the area of mounting for hanging, and if need be, preparation for framing. This may be as simple as applying velcro and supplying hanging strips, or it may necessitate an appropriate stretcher arrangement. Minor repairs can skillfully be made using our supply of period fabrics.

Hooked rugs which can no longer withstand abuse underfoot can be successfully mounted as wall hangings. We are adept at minor repairs to hooked and table rugs, including backing and binding when necessary.

All repair and refitting is done by trained experts, and each job receives prompt attention and our personal supervision. Work is accepted from collectors as well as from dealers and institutions, and items may be brought in or shipped to us.

Upon receipt, we will examine your items and phone you to discuss your needs, make our recommendations, and give you an estimate of the cost. We make every effort to complete jobs entrusted to us in a timely fashion, and we know you will be pleased with the quality of our work. References from our clients can be furnished upon request.

M. Finkel & Daughter.

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