Samplings: XI

VOLUME X/

SA.lVIPLI~G-S: A selected offering of antique samplers and needlework

.c

~ j~yt lbe oraorlJO ~$thine ormt8 -.ot O"t.Jill- l,dwvd.t- ~ . 18'2l

M. Finkel e:; Daughter. established 19 4

7

ANTIQUE TEXTILES AND PERIOD FURNITURE 936 Pine Street , Philadelphia , Penns y lvania 19107

fax 215-627-8199

215-627-7797 800-598-7432

Cover Illustration: Detail of Ann Edwards, page 1

Copyright Š 1997 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 the permission in writing from M. Finkel & Daughter, Inc. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Samplings ... volume XI

The recent Sotheby's auction of the Joan Stephens' collection of samplers and needlework reaffirmed our belief that scholarship and enduring values are inexorably linked. This single-owner auction sale created a level of interest which generated new buyers and extremely strong prices. Fortunately our diligent efforts in uncovering appealing samplers and conducting original genealogical research continue to generate pieces which we are proud to present in this catalogue; we offer samplers which will allow our clients - from serious, long-term collectors to newly-interested first time buyers - to make meaningful acquisitions. We hope that you will share our enthusiasm and agree that this, our eleventh catalogue, presents our most important and interesting offering to date.

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 difficult to procure, let us know and perhaps we can assist in locating them. This year marks the 50th anniversary of founding of our firm, a fact of which we are quite proud. We like to think that 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 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 done according to description of the process at the back of this catalogue.

All merchandise is offered subject to prior sale. Should your first choice be unavailable, we urge you to discuss your collecting objectives with any one of us. 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 five day return privilege. Expert packing is included: shipping and insurance cost are extra. We prefer to ship via UPS second day air or Federal Express, insured.

Amy Finkel Morris Finkel Martine Webber 800-598-7432

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 for more information.

AMERICA'S LEADING sAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

M.Finkel aJ Daughter.

ALPHABETICAL LISTING OF CONTENTS Arley Cottage School, England, 1833 ............................................................... page

8

Band Sampler, Scotland, 1757 ........................................................................ page

22

Mary Bourne, England, 1828 ........................................................................... page

18

Ann Elizabeth Brokaw, Boundbrook, N.J., 1836 ................................................... page

4

Harriet Brown, Billerica, Massachusetts, 1822 ...................................................... page

8

Mary Ann Buchanan, Pennsylvania, 1838 ............................................................ page

22

Kezia Burrough, Westtown School, Chester County, Pa, 1810 ................................. page

24

Phebe H. Carver, Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pa, 1832 .................. page

2

Dickinson Family Register, Northfield, Massachusetts, c. 1815 ................................. page

12

Mary Dunn, Salem County, N.J., 1827 ............................................................... page

17

Ann Edwards, Burlington County, N.J., 1826 .......................................... cover and page

1

Elisabeth Eichelberger, Mary Reed's School, Lancaster, Pa, c. 1826 ........ : .................. page

9

Polly Emerson, Miss Parker's School, Haverhill, Mass., 1797 .................................... page

6&7

F. F., Scotland, late 18th century ..................................................................... page

23

Caroline Fisher, Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1814 ............................................. page

25

Folwell School Miniature, Philadelphia, c 1800-1810 ............................................. page

27

Ellen Kittredge, Framingham, Massachusetts, 1814 ............................................. page

20

Mary Ann Leggat, Edinburgh, Scotland, c. 1785 ................................................... page

23

Sarah Lewis, Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1785 ................................................ page

3

Needleworked House, Muscatine, Iowa, c. 1860 ................................................... page

14

Rebecca M. Newbirt, Waldoboro, Maine, 1833 ...................................................... page

26

Eleanor O'Beime, Probably Ireland, 1823

......................................................... page

19

Mary L. Potter, Union Vale, Dutchess Co., N.Y., 1824 ............................................. page

16

Ede Prescott, Bennington, Vermont, 1820 ......................................................... page

26

Hannah Shaner, Pennsylvania German, 1848 ...................................................... page

15

Sally B. Shepherd, New England, 1825 ............................................................... page

5

Elizabeth Snowden, Burlington County, N.J., 1797 ................................................ page

10

Margaret Stewart, A Map of Europe, British Isles, 1801 .......................................... page

19

Abby Treadway, Middletown, Connecticut, 1797 ................................................... page

20

Elizabeth Tustin, Philadelphia Presention Sampler, Kensington, Pa, 1823 .................. page

13

Sarah Elizabeth VanHouten, Esopus, Ulster Co., N.Y., 1839 .................................... page

11

Elizabeth Winslow Williams, Harvard Academy, Boston, Mass, 1827 ........................... page

21

Mary Wills, English or American, 1835

............................................................ page

18

Jane Woodbury, Beverly, Massachusetts, c. 1816 ................................................... page

21

M.Finkel ~Daughter.

AMERICA'S LEADING sAMPLER. AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER.

1 Ann Edwards, Burlington County, N.J., 1826 It is a privilege to offer this extremely rare and important Burlington County sampler, worked by eleven-year-old Ann Edwards, the daughter of a New Jersey carpenter, Richard Edwards, and his wife, Deborah Hopewell. The Quaker samplers of Burlington County are fully discussed by Betty Ring in Girlhood Embroidery, Vol. II, pages 476 to 485. The samplers were worked in Quaker schools under the instruction of demanding teachers in towns such as Evesham, Moorestown, Mt. Holly, and Pine Grove and comprise New Jersey's largest group of important samplers. One particular type of sampler depicts a "large five-bay or three-bay house on a fenced mound with the inscription beneath a grapevine garland. On the lawn a giant rooster towers above a man with a gun aimed at a fox amid peaceful sheep and swans," according to Girlhood Embroidery. This is a description of a sampler worked by Martha C. Hooton in 1827 which is illustrated on page 481 and labeled "New Jersey's most famous example." It was in the Theodore H. Kapnek collection (and is illustrated in A Gallery of American Samplers, page 69) until 1987 when it was sold at Sotheby's for $44,000. Our Ann Edwards sampler is virtually the mate to the Hooton piece with the notable difference that our Edwards piece retains most of its original color and the Hooton piece has sustained some fading. Ann Edwards' sampler is a spectacular new discovery and an important addition to this body of work.

Ann, born in 1815, was the seventh of eight children born to Richard and Deborah (Hopewell) Edwards who had been married in 1799 in Gloucester County, N.J. All of Ann's grandparents were from Quaker families in Burlington County and when her maternal grandfather, Benjamin Hopewell of Evesham died in 1822, he left his entire estate to his daughter Deborah. It is likely that the Edwards family then moved to Evesham, where in 1826, at age eleven, Ann worked her sampler in this highly developed style which flourished from approximately 1826 to 1830. In fact, the 1830 census index indicates Richard and Deborah and their seven children continued to live in Evesham. Ann married George W. Baxter, a millwright, and they had four children. She died Aprilll, 1881 at age 66 in Bridgeton, Gloucester County. Copies of the wills of Benjamin Hopewell, Richard Edwards and Deborah Edwards accompany this sampler, which desecended in the family until very recently.

The sampler was worked in silk on linen with its original silk ribbon and is in excellent condition, conservation mounted into its original fine mahogany corner block frame.

Sampler size, including ribbon: 23 1!2'' X 25" Price upon request.

AMERICA's LEADING sAMPLER. AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

M.Finkel e';j Daughter.

2 Phebe H. Carver, Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County, ~ennsylvania, 1832 In 1832, Phebe H. Carver, a young lady from an early Philadelphia area family, worked a sampler in a variety of challenging stitches using delicately colored crinkled silk floss, and the result is quite lovely. Phebe worked the following verse: "Calm is the summer evening sun Oh may my glass of life be run And bright as is his parting ray My prospect of a future day" which floats gracefully amongst butterflies, birds, queen-stitched baskets, and miniature pine trees.

Her parents initials, "J.C." for Jesse Carver and "H.C." for Hannah (Coates) Carver, were worked at the top and the initials of the six children born to the family, Rachel, Phebe, Rachel, William, Elizabeth, and William appear along the sides. The initials "A.E." most likely refer to Phebe's teacher, who was no doubt one of the many exellent instructresses working in the Philadelphia area in the early 19th century.

Phebe Carver was born in 1819 in Swedeland, a small town on the Schuykill River in Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County; her father, Jesse Carver, was a farmer. She married Hippolyte Goujon, a French-born farmer and they remained in Swedeland having no children. Phebe Carver Goujon died February 23, 1882, aged 63 and is buried, along with many of her ancestors at the Old Swedes Church Burying Ground in Upper Merion. The sampler is in excellent condition, worked in silk on linen and conservation mounted into a curly maple beveled frame with an ebony bead.

Sampler size: 17x 16 W' Price:$4800.

. ....

~~~

._...........

M.Finkel ~Daughter.

).:.,_.

~

.

r

... (-.

I

•

0

AMERICA'S LEADING sAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

Sarah Lewis, Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1785 Chester County, Pennsylvania, was formed in 1682 as one of the original counties under the charter of William Penn, and it produced a plethora of outstanding samplermakers; we are extremely pleased to offer this extraordinarily important and appealing example.

Sarah Lewis was born in 1770, one of the seven children of Thomas and Catharine Lewis of Upper Darby Township in the eastern part of the original county. Thomas Lewis died on April 15, 1783, as inscribed on the sampler: "Thomas Lewis Decased The 15 of The 4 month 1783" and his wife died in 1818. The samplermaker, Sarah, married John Cochran and they raised at least four children in that area. John Cochran left a substantial estate when he died in 1843.

Sarah Lewis Cochran died in 1851 and we observe and abide by the following verse on her sampler: "This work in hand/ My friends shall have/ When I am Dead/ And laid in grave."

The pictorial format of this sampler is quite unusual: several birds and animals worked in rich detail perch on floral sprigs which float gracefully above a lattice-work basket.

Additionally, two miniature unicorns, motifs almost unheard of in sampler design, were worked into the field. Miss Lewis used lustrous silk floss in the chain, cross and satin stitch with splendid effect. Her sampler also features two different verses which proclaim the worth of education and needlework: "Look Well To That Thou Takest In Hand/ For That Is Better Worth Then House or Land/ When Land Is Gone and Money Spent/ Then Learning is Most Excelent" and "Learning is an ornament/ Virtue is more Excellent/ She's Better Than The Silver Fine/ And richer Than The Golden Mine."

The sampler is in its spectacular original mahogany frame which resembles early Queen Anne looking glass frames of the period.

Chester County is one of the very few areas known, in the 18th and early 19th centuries, for the important frames which encase some of its samplers; the sampler collection in the Chester County Historical Society attests to the early inhabitants' proclivity towards impressive frames. The Sarah Lewis sampler is in excellent condition and has been conservation mounted.

Sampler size: 18" x 14 W' Price: $32,000.

AMERICA'S LEADING sAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

M.Finkel e; Daughter.

3

4 Ann Elizabeth Brokaw, Boundbrook, N.J., 1836 A handsome needleworked landscape dominates this important sampler, which may look familiar to many collectors; this very sampler was used as the cover illustration of the Weathervane Books edition of American Samplers, by Bolton & Coe (at right), first published in 1921, now considered the ground-breaking treatise in the field. The pastoral setting, two boys fishing at a shimmering blue lake with a thatched roof cottage and wind swept trees, is highly unusual and more painterly an image than is typically encountered on a schoolgirl sampler.

AMERICAN Si \MPLERS

The samplermaker was nine-year-old Ann Elizabeth Brokaw of the town of Boundbrook on the Raritan River in Somerset County, New Jersey. The Brokaw family were French Huguenots and early settlers of the Raritan Valley; it was a prominent and prolific family with members serving as "' mayor and early bankers of the town. Young Miss Brokaw included three complete alphabets and her initials in the banded area above her worked scene; the sampler is surrounded on four sides with a strong and rhythmic border providing a graphic framework. The sampler was worked in silk on linen and is in excellent condition, conservation mounted into a beveled cherry frame with a maple bead. A copy of Bolton & Coe's American Samplers accompanies this piece.

ETIIEL STANWOOD IIOLTOW

EVA JOH NSTON COE

Sampler size: 17 114'' x 17" Price: $7200.

M.Finkel eJ Daughter.

AMERICA ' S LEADING SAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

5

Sally B. Shepherd, New England, 1825 There is a delightful exuberance and spontaneity to this sampler, characteristics which one rarely encounters and due in large part to the free-form bunches of blue grapes and lustrous leaves and flowers sprouting from the large central basket. The teal blue used to cross stitch the hillocks is echoed in the grape leaves and tendrils, the sawtooth inner border and the carefully formed letters.

The samplermaker inscribed the following: "Sally B. Shepherd's Sampler wrought in the eleventh year of her age AD 1825" and it is likely that she was the Sarah Blair Shepard who was born February 3, 1815. She was the youngest of four daughters of Jacob and Susannah (Smith) Shepard of Holderness, a town beautifully situated on Squom Lake in central New Hampshire. Sally (the commonly used name for Sarah) married George Webster of Lowell, Massachusetts in 1835 and died November 21, 1897. This sampler exhibits many characteristics of design considered indigenous to the southern New Hampshire region and shares specific elements with pieces made in the towns of Jaffrey and Fitzwilliam. It is in excellent condition, worked in silk on linen, conservation mounted into a 19th century gold leaf frame.

Sampler size: 17'' X 17'' Price: $6200.

AMERICA's LEADING sAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

M.Finkei6J Daughter.

6

Polly Emerson, Miss Parker's School, Haverhill, Masschusetts, 1797 When we offered the important and delightful 1797 sampler worked by Susanna Emerson of Haverhill in our last catalogue (pages 4 & 5), we had no idea that we would be fortunate enough to purchase the even more splendid sampler worked by Susanna's older sister, Polly, also in the year 1797. These two samplers were worked side-by-side at Miss Parker's School in Haverhill and together are the earliest and most important examples from this well-documented school, which is known to have existed from 1797 to 1810 and is fully discussed by Betty Ring in Girlhood Embroidery, Vol. I, pages 124-129.

Miss Parker was obviously a talented and sophisticated schoolmistress, able to impart a high level of proficiency to her students. The samplers that survive from this school exhibit many different intricate stitches within the stunning floral border, distinctive inner geometric borders and richly embellished lawn. The two Emerson samplers are the only known examples designed in the classic 18th century vertical format as well as the only ones that include depictions of people and dogs. The elegantly attired gentleman, with a bird perched on his hand, and a top hat on his head, is shown with a ponytail which was worked using actual hair, a rarely found technique which was also used by Elizabeth Peeker on her 1750 Haverhill sampler, now in the collection of the Cooper-Hewitt Museum and published in Girlhood Embroidery. The two young ladies, each of them fashionably hatted and one with her parasol, contribute to the lively natlvete of the scene. The lawn was worked in lustrous teal green crinkled silk and some motifs are matched, stitch-for-stitch, by other Miss Parker's School samplers.

The samplemaker's inscription, a distinct phrasing found on all ¡known Miss Parker's School samplers, was worked in the area above the stylized geometric sky, and is as follows: "Polly Emerson wrought this in 13th year of her age 1797 ... HAVERHILL COUNTY ESSEX" The Emerson sisters were born to an illustrious, early Haverhill family; by 1650's their ancestor Michael Emerson was a Haverhill landowner and town constable. Mary Whittier (1759-1835) also of Haverhill married Captain Nehemiah Emerson (1750-1832) in 1782. Captain Emerson was an officer in the Revolutionary War who served in battles at Bunker Hill, Vallery Forge and Burgoyne's Surrender, and was later remembered by President Washington in his memoirs. A wonderful original document, the actual muster roll of Captain Emerson's 1781 company, a large and intricate chart, has descended along with Polly's sampler and will accompany it. Polly (the familiar name for Mary) Emerson was born October 7, 1784. She married Joseph Smith, of Dover, N.H. and they had eight children. The sampler descended in direct line from the maker and remained in the family until earlier this year.

It was worked in silk on linen and is in pristine condition, conservation mounted into its extraordi¡ nary original painted frame with a sanded finish.

Sampler size: 20W' x 16" Price: $28,000.

M.Finkel ~Daughter.

AMERICA'S LEADING sAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

Polly Emerson, Miss Parker's School, Haverhill, Masschusetts, 1797

AMERICA'S LEADING SAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

M. Finkel

es Daughter.

7

8

Harriet Brown, Billerica, Massachusetts, 1822 On June 30, 1808 Harriet Brown was born, the ninth child of Samuel and Elizabeth (Noyes) Brown of Billerica, a town which sits on the Concord River, 20 miles northwest of Boston. By the time that she worked this delightful sampler, in 1822, two of her siblings had died and are memorialized at the bottom of her needlework: Isaac Brown (1794-1797) and Susannah Brown (1798-1818). It is interesting to note that the classic symbolism of the willow tree as a mourning device was taken one step further on this sampler, and a small branch of each willow appears to be broken and drooping downward, further emphasizing the loss. This would have been very much in keeping with the early 19th century vogue for displaying memorials on samplers. According to Anita Schorsch in Mourning Becomes America, "Mourning art ...was a way of showing that one had good taste and proper manners."

Harriet Brown was 14 years old when she worked this sampler and indicated so after her name and the Latin ligature abbreviation of the word "age". Miss Brown used the Roman numeral for her age, a stylish detail which had not been found by us previously on the very many samplers we have examined. The sampler also features a delightful architectural rendering and a pleasing verse which speaks to the role of the sampler with its "silken word" sending "God's word to every land".

In 1837 Harriet married Daniel Hartford, a Billerician stone mason and they had two sons and two daughters. Her sampler remains in excellent condition, worked in silk on linen, conservation mounted into a later walnut frame.

Sampler size: 17'' x 16 '12'' Price: $3400.

Arley Cottage School, England, 1833 We were quite pleased to have found this miniature sampler, an exercise performed at what was, no doubt, one of the many small schools which flourished throughout England in the early 19th century. The alphabet in this sampler includes the early form of the letter "A" and the "Z" is cleverly worked into a band of cross-stitched strawberries. The sampler is bordered with a Greek key design and is in very good condition, with one minor area of loss along the upper left edge.

Silk on wool, conservation mounted into a delightful inlaid frame from early in the 20th century.

Sampler size: 6 1!2'' x 5" Price: $1450.

M.Finkel eJ Daughter.

AMERICA'S LEADING sAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

9

Elisabeth Eichelberger, Mary Reed's School, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1826 A highly recognizable style of sampler is indigenous to the Susquehanna Valley of Pennsylvania; samplers worked at the schools of Leah Galligher Maguire, Rachel Armstrong, Mary Walker, Catharine Buchanan and Mary Reed are described by Betty Ring in Girlhood Embroidery, Vol. II, page 410 as "a wonderfully appealing and cohesive group of samplers ... produced in Lancaster, York, and Dauphin counties between 1797 and 1838." We were fortunate to have discovered this praiseworthy sampler worked in the school of Mary Reed of Lancaster. Our sampler is inscribed, "Elisabeth Eichelberger, a Daughter of George and Elisabeth Eichelberger was born December 1st 1816 and made this Sampler in the lOth year of her age in Mary Reed's School in the year of our LORD 1826."

The samplers from these schools obviously required exceptional skill, as a variety of challenging stitches were assigned by these demanding instructresses. All of the samplers share the specific compartmented format and designs and many include the house and evergreens with small birds found along the bottom of this sampler. The handful of known examples from Mary Reed's school includes pieces in the collections of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Winterthur Museum, and the sampler by Sophia Shindel in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum and published in Girlhood Embroidery, Vol. II, page 416 is quite similar to our Elisabeth Eichelberger piece.

The Eichelberger family's roots tap deeply into the Susquehanna Valley. The family came from the German village of Ittlingen in the 1720's and settled in Lancaster and York counties in Pennsylvania.

Our research continues as we hope to know more about George and Elisabeth and their daughter Elisabeth.

The sampler is in excellent condition and was worked in silk on linen. It retains its original green silk ribbon and has been conservation mounted into a 19th century gold leaf frame.

Sampler size: 18 W' x 17 W' Price: $17,500.

AMERICA's LEADING sAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

(detail)

M.Finkel e; Daughter.

10

Elizabeth Snowden, Burlington County, N.J., 1797 This particularly charming 18th century sampler was worked by Elizabeth Snowden, a young lady with an aptitude for needlework, as evidenced by her carefully rendered motifs. The queens stitch, one of the most challenging sampler stitches, dominates the top border and appears again in the heart designs interspersed with the alphabet as well as in the horizontal lines of work. The house, lion, birds, dog and basket were meticulously worked in the cross stitch and the saw-toothed lawn was worked in the satin stitch. (detail)

Elizabeth's surname stumped us initially as the "w" in Snowden does not seem very "w"- like. We then examined the lower case alphabet and found that her "w" is consistent throughout. It is likely that the samplermaker was the Elizabeth Snowden born July 25, 1783 to Isaac Ballinger Snowden and Mary Bassett of southern New Jersey.

Records show that the family transferred into the Evesham Quaker Monthly Meeting in 1792 and that Elizabeth remained in Burlington County, marrying Jacob Evans; they were the parents of seven children, and Elizabeth was still living in 1839 when Jacob Evans died.

The sampler is in excellent condition, worked in silk on linen and conservation mounted into a molded cherry frame.

Sampler size: 17" x 12" Price: $3900.

M.Finkel ~Daughter.

AMERICA's LEADING sAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

Sarah Elizabeth Van Houten, Esopus, Ulster County, N.Y., 1839 This delightful sampler was the work of Sarah Elizabeth Van Houten, and was completed on November 7, 1839. It descended in Kingston, N.Y. and research conducted through the Ulster County Historical Society indicates that the Van Houten family resided only in the village of Esopus, on the Hudson River, as five entries in the early 19th century census indexes corroborate.

Our Van Houten sampler, with its rhythmic strawberry border on four sides, presents a number of charming motifs -pairs of birds, a little dog, and two butterflies with their landing gear down, but it is the house and fence which command our attention. The house and its addition are shown in three-quarter view with a typical picket fence on the east side of the property. We haven ever previously encountered, however, the quirky numerical progression solidly stitched into the fence on the western side. Worked in silk on linen, the sampler is in excellent condition, conservation mounted into a later frame. (detail) 3 Sampler size: 16" x 14 /4'' Price: $4200.

AMERICA's LEADING sAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

M.Finkel e!J Daughter.

11

12 Dickinson Family Register, Northfield, Massachusetts, circa 1815 "Genealogical needlework may be an American invention ... and the majority of examples were made in Massachusetts between 1810 and 1830," according to Family Record: Genealogical Watercolors and Needlework published by the D.A.R. in conjunction with a definitive exhibition at their Washington, D.C. museum in 1989. We are pleased to offer this fine example, highly unusual in that it is solidly stitched with no background left unworked. The geometric outer border frames a leafy oval inner border which contains the family register information and following verse: "Next unto God dear parents I address Myself to you in humble thankfulness For all your charge and care on me bestowd The means of learning on me thus allowd Go on I pray and let me still pursue The golden art the vulgar never knew."

.A 1iss &thelind.<-. 1Dickinscon %.~n• <J)e/ll.X7:7J 1

~~ ,')o?ro? Ol!1arrio?•i 9,_\no? 2{~tX80Y M«riah o\11 ;Dickinson %orn tJd stn rsor ~mily 5' ~ic-kins•)n %ern S ep{ 7th I803 . ,P,"

Ql. <l'.,

·'. ~man J ·

<U _

...v'!Ckinsun ~rn

.--<

y

.::Y eo 8

th

tI r.t, - - - :;. - - - - • _ •• .vied t',l 'larr.--h X7 <l'.

l80S •• l$'J~ _

_,1/ext u.ntoC'1oddea.r p are nt.:- 9 a ddress CIIA. yself t o"yo\\ in h u mble tt-ankfnlness .%r <> II you.rchuge- ..nd care on m.;> b.;>.;-t ow<\ · .9he m ean s of learning on me thu.s allow d 9pray and le-t me .still pu.rS\.lo? art the v ulgarnev erkne'QI{

The Dickinson family had roots that tapped deeply into Northfield, a town in Franklin County near the northern border of the state.

This sampler documents the births and marriage of "Esq" Heman Dickinson to his cousin, Miss Ethelinda Dickinson. Their grandfather, Nathaniel Dickinson was killed by Indians in April 1747 while bringing cows home from a local meadow according to A History of

the Town of Northfield, 1875. A 19th century granite monument which narrates the tale was erected at the site in his memory.

The sampler lists the three children born to Heman and Ethelinda and it is one of their two daughters, Mariah or Emily, who no doubt was the samplermaker. The needlework exhibits a high level of proficiency and a shimmering texture was achieved by the consistent use of the cross-stitch in a refined palette of beige, olive green and black. Silk on linen, in excellent condition, conservation mounted into a 19th century black painted frame.

Sampler size: 15" x 14" Price: $2250.

M.Finkel ~Daughter.

AMERICA ' S LEADING SAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

13

Elizabeth Tustin, Philadelphia Presentation Sampler, ~ensington, 1823

On Aprilll, 1813 Elizabeth Tustin was born, the only child of Isaac and Mary (Geisel) 'fustin. Ten years later Elizabeth worked an outstanding Philadelphia Presentation Sampler which she inscribed, "Respectfully Presented to Isaac and Mary Tustin by their affectionate daughter Elizabeth Tustin aged 10 years 1823 Born Aprilll 1813 Kensington" and we are very pleased to be able to offer this praiseworthy sampler for sale. Betty Ring in Girlhood Embroidery Vol. II, pages 374 to 377 discusses this delightful form, examples of which are in the collections of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Cooper-Hewitt Museum. These samplers generally feature a low basket filled with fruit and flowers, a verse (often used was the same "Jesus permit thy gracious name to stand," etc.) worked into an enclosed area above, and the presentation inscription worked into the plinth-like base of the basket.

Elizabeth's sampler obviously well represents this group, however she must have been extremely talented, as her rendition offers substantially more advanced needlework than any published example.

There is an impasto-like quality to the chain-stitched and queen-stitched flowers and fruits; even her cross-stitch was executed in a superior fashion. Elizabeth also took the verse to a level rarely found, as she included fully eight lines of the verse which frequently appears on samplers with only the first four lines in use.

The Tustins were married and Elizabeth was baptized at St. Michael's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Germantown, Philadelphia where Mary Tustin is buried, having died at age 25 on November 22, 1819.

Isaac remarried in 1820, yet in 1823 Elizabeth included her then deceased mother in the inscription of her sampler. On June 1831, Elizabeth married Henry W. Ditman at the Kensington Presbyterian Church and that marriage produced nine children. Elizabeth Tustin Ditman died, a widow, on January 25, 1877 at age 64.

The sampler was worked in silk on linen and is in excellent condition, conservation mounted into the 19th century gold frame which contained it for many years.

Sampler size: 16" x 20 W' Price: $8700.

AMERICA'S LEADING SAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

M.Finkel

es Daughter.

14 Needleworked House, Muscatine, Iowa, c. 1860 While the third quarter of the 19th century saw a general decline in the practice of needlework along the northeastern United States, some delightful work continued to be produced in the Midwest. This fully worked "portrait" of two houses descended with the history that it was worked in Muscatine, Iowa, a flourishing town on the Mississippi River, settled in the 1840's; it is clear the two buildings portrayed on this stunning piece well represent the prosperity of the town. Delightful details include the stylized evergreen trees, a red ladderback chair next to the flowering bush to the left of the main house, a lady walking a very large dog in the foreground and twin puffs of smoke coming from the chimneys. It is a strong and graphic depiction worked against a background of handsome dark brown.

Worked in wool onto linen canvas, it is in very good condition with some early breaks and mended areas, and is in a period molded frame.

Sampler size: 15" x 17 W' Price: $2600.

M.Finkel ~Daughter.

AMERICA'S LEADING SAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

15

Hannah Shaner, Pennsylvania German, 1848 It is a delight to offer such a visually exuberant sampler as this one, worked by Hannah Shaner in 1848. According to Tandy and Charles Hersh in their book Samplers of the Pennsylvania German, "Textiles were a very important part of [the Pennsylvania German] culture with embroidered samplers having an integral place." However, relatively few Pennsylvania German samplers are available and they do not, for the most part, tend to be aesthetically striking. Hannah Shaner's sampler is a classic example of random motif design but her strong colors and, most importantly, her decision (or her teacher's decision!) to work the entire field in black wool sets the sampler apart from the norm. This is a truly stunning piece.

Hannah Shaner no doubt lived in southeastern Pennsylvania, probably Lancaster or Berks County. It is likely that further research will reveal the specifics of Hannah's identity. This large sampler was worked in wool on linen, with silk used to work the inscription and the yellow-gold rectangle which encases it. Excellent condition, conservation mounted into a cherry and maple corner block frame.

Sampler size: 25 W' x 23 W' Price: $3850.

AMERICA's LEADING SAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

M.Finkel e; Daughter.

16 Mary L. Potter, Union Vale, Dutchess County, N.Y., 1824 "An Address to the Deity" was the verse selected by either the samplermaker or her teacher and executed in extremely fine silk cross-stitched lettering onto a gauze-like linen. The poem was written by Anna Letitia Barbauld (1743-1825), an English writer of great learning and reputation. This particular poem was included in her first volume of poetry, published in 1793.

In the small town of Union Vale, 15 miles from Poughkeepsie in Dutchess County, Mary L. Potter was born September 1, 1812 to Anthony and Sarah (Lockwood) Potter. It is clear that she attended a Quaker school and the date on her sampler was phrased in the Quaker manner: 1st mo 14th 1824 for January 14, 1824. As was true throughout much of southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and parts of New York state and New England, the Quaker schools provided a superior overall education, emphasizing excellence in the needle arts. One of the most important early Quaker schools, Nine Partners Boarding School was located in Dutchess County, less than 30 miles from the Potters' town.

9od of my life, md ~t&.o.r <1f my d.~y" ~mit my f~ble v<>ke to 11:sp thy prJ..t~ ' < ii\Jd my f~nJ. ho)~S , my v-..Jn disqui.:\s ~.ru.!, ~nd

rim

my. p•th tv ¢Vo$ft~clng f><-"a.;.t .

In a • ale- of ~s J ~y, Wh<!r~ bxkrs wound, and 1.horru p.:rpl¢X my way, Jltill 1et my s~<ly ~ovJ thy goodn¢Ss see, ·~nd with strong confidence hy h.:>ld on the41 5'~ch me to quit. 1.hls transitory sc.me W ith d~ent triumph, and a look N~'!;

This exemplary piece was worked in silk into linen gauze and is in excellent condition, conservation mounted into a 19th century gold leaf frame.

Sampler size: 14 112'' X 14 W' Price: $3250.

JI .frr¢.n.d.l.:ss

~ ndl m~ J.o . f~ my ardent ho-pes on hlgh., <Ylnd ha-vntg liv d to thee, in thee to die. ~ar.bauld.

r:YVI.-v:y

f

ilotter

M.Finkel ~Daughter.

1 "-

mo

14 • J&t4

AMERICA'S LEADING SAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

17

Mary Dunn, Salem County, N.J., 1827 "Readily identified by their conspicuous, uniformly shaped poplar trees, a specific group of samplers can be attributed to the southern section of New Jersey... This deliberate arrangement of rich green coloration begins at the terraced lawn, finds its way through the arched doorway and the closed and fastened window shutters, and peaks ... at the silhouette of the trees."

Mary Jaene Edmonds in her book Samplers and Samplermakers: An American Schoolgirl Art 1700-1850, is describing a sampler which can only be termed the mate to our own Mary Dunn sampler, that of Ann Dickinson which was worked in 1827 and is published in her book on page 131. These two samplermakers were obviously taught by the same teacher and must have completed their work side-by-side. The floating nosegays, center star motif, arrangement of fence and gates, three specific trees and strawberry border appear on both pieces.

We are fortunate in that we know a great deal regarding our samplermaker. Mary Dunn was born August 7, 1818 to Samuel and Gulielme (Jeffries) Dunn of Salem County, southern New Jersey.

Samuel Dunn descended from early settlers in that area; by 1689, his ancestor Thomas Dunn had purchased land from William Penn at Finn's Point, about 6 miles from the town of Salem. Samuel Dunn's day book from the years 1836 and 1837 is in the collection of the Salem County Historical Society and a photocopy of the day book accompanies this sampler.

Mary Dunn would have been nine years old when she worked this sampler. She married Samuel C. Gilmore on March 28, 1838 and they had at least one child. Mary Dunn Gilmore died at age 82, a widow, in the year 1900 and is buried in Lower's Penn Neck Township on the Delaware River. Her sampler was worked in lustrous silk on unbleached linen and is in excellent condition, conservation mounted into a molded and painted frame.

Sampler size: 16W' x 183/4 Price: $4250.

AMERICA'S LEADING SAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

M.Finkel

es Daughter.

18 Mary Bourne, England, 1828 The verse chosen by twelve-year-old Mary Bourne has long been a favorite of ours: All you my Friends who now expect To see A piece of work performed By me Look on this and do but see What care my Parents took of me.

The samplermaker also included a whimsical castle atop a striated lawn, two frisky reindeer, a classic Adam, Eve, and serpent-wrapped cherry tree and a smiling queen on her throne on this large and vibrant sampler. The horizontal bands of work across the center of the sampler hearken back to earlier sampler design and all of the work was executed in the finest English style.

The sampler was worked in silk on linen and is in excellent condition, conservation mounted into a flat mahogany frame with a beaded edge.

Sampler size: 20 W' x 16 W' Price: $3850.

Mary Wills, English or American, 1835 This endearing sampler has much to recommend itself; the stately two-chimney house sits next to a pair of cherry trees which form a bower over a charming lattice back garden settee. Many traditional sampler motifs -flowers, birds, baskets, trees, hearts and stars- float above and around the classically morose verse. The samplermaker found that she was unable to fit all of the necessary lines of the verse and, in each case, worked the leftover letters just above the end of their lines (e.g. "prime" and "decay").

While the country of origin of a sampler is generally clearly discernible, occasionally a piece will exhibit elements of both English and American design and execution. Eleven-year-old Mary Wills may have been working in our MidAtlantic states, or somewhere in the British Isles; either way her sampler presents itself with a great deal of charm. Silk and wool on linen, excellent condition, conservation mounted into a late 19th century frame.

Sampler size: 16" x 16 W' Price: $2850.

M.Finkel ~Daughter.

AMERICA's LEADING SAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

19

Margaret Stewart, A Map of Europe, British Isles, 1801 Needleworked maps were considered an appropriate schoolroom exercise which encompassed both geography and the needle arts and many fine examples were worked throughout the British Isles.

We offer a delightful sampler, A Map of Europe, worked by Margaret Stewart in 1801 in which she worked a tight chain stitch to outline the countries and cross stitch to indicate their names and capitals. The leafy cartouches in the two corners are typical of work found on many verse and motif samplers of the period.

Worked in silk on wool and in very good condition with one small hole, conservation mounted into its original painted and molded frame.

Sampler size: 17" x 19W' Price: $1800.

Eleanor O'Beirne, probably Ireland, 1823 It is a pleasure to study a sampler as beau-

tifully worked as this example; many different stitches were executed with great skill and precision. The two different pairs of lustrous butterflies were worked in a combination of satin and whip stitch.

The pine trees well represent the tent stitch and the bow-knotted cartouche, surrounding the samplermaker's name and the date of completion, was gracefully worked in the chain stitch. The verse, a wonderfully dismal counterpart to the light-hearted motifs, was precisely centered in its allotted space with rows of minute and tightly worked cross stitches.

The needleworker was clearly one of talent and experience.

Worked in silk on wool, the sampler is in excellent condition, conservation mounted into a fine period rosewood frame.

Sampler size: 171fz'' x 16W' Price: $2850.

AMERICA'S LEADING SAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

M.Finkel

es Daughter.

20

Abby Treadway, Middletown, Connecticut, 1797 We were delighted to find this small 18th century marking sampler, a carefully worked piece with expertise demonstrated in the difficult stitches which separate each line. Most young girls began to learn the skill of needlework with a marking sampler, yet the use of the word "marked" rarely appears on their work. Hence the inscription "Abby Treadway Mark'd This" is of additional interest.

This sampler descended with a Middletown history and our research rewarded us with the identity of Abigail Treadway who was born January 27, 1788 to Josiah and Rana Treadway of Middletown, the Middlesex county seat, situated on the Connecticut River. The sampler was worked in silk on linen and is in excellent condition; while the third alphabet is somewhat faint, it is fully worked and quite legible. Conservation mounted into a later frame.

Sampler size: 7 W' x 8 W' Price:$1450.

Ellen Kittredge, Framingham, Massachusetts, 1814 Ellen Ingersoll Kittredge worked this endearing little sampler in the town of Framingham, Massachusetts which is west of Boston, in Middlesex County; the sampler was completed on July 18, when she was 11 years old. She neatly worked three alphabets and one brief numerical progression along with the following aphorism: ''Virtue is the road to Happiness."

The samplermaker was born May 11, 1803 to a prominent Framingham physician and town selectman, Dr. John Ball Kittredge and his wife, Mary Kellogg Kittredge. Ellen married, as his second wife, Dexter Stone of Philadelphia and they were the parents of two daughters. Ellen Kittredge Stone died February 26, 1874. Her sampler is in excellent condition, silk on linen, conservation mounted into a 19th century painted frame.

Sampler size: 11" x 11" Price: $1150.

M.Finkel e:J Daughter.

AMERICA'S LEADING SAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

21 Jane Woodbury, Beverly, Massachusetts, c. 1816 Jane Woodbury was born October 10, 1807 to Peter and Deborah Woodbury of Beverly, a delightful town on the North Shore. On August 4, 1831 she married Robert Rantoul (1805-1852) also of Beverly, a prominent reformer and humanist, well-known for his moral convictions; he worked in support of public schools, free trade and the abolition of the death penalty. A less important but interesting cause was his attack on the claims of Harvard College to the exclusive control of transportation on the Charles River!

Jane Woodbury Rantoul and her husband were the parents of two sons; she died in Beverly on June 14, 1870. Her marking sampler, worked at age 9, is a delightful example. It was worked in silk on linen and is in excellent condition with all of its alphabets legible. Conservation mounted into a 19th century walnut frame with a gilt liner.

Sampler size: 8" x 7 W' Price: $950.

Elizabeth Winslow Williams, Harvard Academy, Boston, 1827 On October 6th, 1827, Elizabeth Winslow Williams completed a particularly handsome marking sampler and inscribed it with her name and date along with the name and location of her school, the "Harvard Academy Boston Massachusetts."

There is a strong Quaker influence to the work, evidenced by the graphic block letters used for the two lower alphabets and ligatures and the monochromatic palette (see the Westtown School sampler by Kezia Burrough on page 24 of this catalogue). A combination of needlework and drawn-work forms the border and tightly worked cross stitches were used to work the two miniature motifs to the left of the date.

Worked in silk on linen, the sampler is in excellent condition, conservation mounted into a molded cherry frame.

Sampler size: 14112" x 11 Price: $2400.

AMERICA'S LEADING SAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

1 /4"

M.Finkel es Daughter.

22

Band Sampler, Scotland, 1757 This tightly worked band sampler exhibits many characteristics one finds on early samplers: the alphabets display the early use of the capital "A" (with the horizontal line across the peak as opposed to across the middle), and the customary lack of "J" and "U". The overall vertical shape and the design, which includes many differently worked bands, are also consistent with the mid 18th century date, which was worked at the end of a row near the center, preceding a checkered rectangle. Also interesting to note is the line of crowns and coronets worked on the line below.

The rose-red and green coloration and the highly curlicued band and alphabet designs strongly suggest a Scottish origin. The sampler was worked in silk on linen and is in excellent condition, with a tiny bit of loss, conservation mounted into a 19th century beveled maple frame.

Sampler size: 16" x 8W' Price: $2400.

Mary Ann Buchanan, Pennsylvania, 1838 This colorful and appealing sampler, worked by Mary Ann Buchanan, features a quirky, striped basket of flowers with criss-crossed stems and blossoms in geometric formations. The graphic three-sided strawberry border grows out of an eyelet and cross-stitched bottom border, while wonderful little flowers and diamond shapes decorate the top portion. One must assume that this samplermaker intended to continue her needlework in the areas on either side of the basket and, while she may not have finished her project, she signed and dated her work.

It was not unusual for a samplermaker to set apart the vowels, but Mary Ann featured them somewhat more prominently than most. The sampler descended in southeastern Pennsylvania where the surname, Buchanan, was quite common in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Worked in silk on linen, it is in excellent condition, conservation mounted into a 19th century rosewood veneer frame.

Sampler size: 13" x 14 W' Price: $1900.

M.Finkel ~Daughter.

AMERICA'S LEADING SAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

23

Mary Ann Leggat, Edinburgh, Scotland, circa 1790 We are always grateful when a samplermaker identified where she worked on her sampler; this not only adds to the interest of the specific sampler but increases our knowledge regarding the origins of other samplers. Mary Ann Leggat worked the accepted abbreviation for Edinburgh, "Edinr", after her name on this praiseworthy example of her needlework. She displayed unusual skill with her miniaturized letter-perfect verse and the lushly-worked scene below; the cottage, of daub and wattle construction, retains its diamond grid window mullions. The satin-stitched garland adds greatly to the visual appeal of the sampler and the vertical format places the date at the end of the 18th century.

Worked in silk on wool, the sampler is in excellent condition, conservation mounted into a later frame.

Sampler size: 15 W' x 12" Price: $3200.

F. F., Scotland, late 18th century This is a very pleasing, relatively small example of skillfully accomplished needlework, with a palette which includes some unusual pastel colors, rendering it quite lovely. The balanced design worked onto wool and this particular alphabet (shown "A" through "G") with curlicued tendrils points to a Scottish origin.

The sampler must have been designed to maximize the variety of motifs and, in fact, displays quite a few classic sampler patterns including potted flowers, trees, hearts, and crowns. The unusual central motif is a portion of an often-worked 18th century band design. We believe that the samplermakers' initials were "F.F.," as she worked them on either side of this band motif. Other sets of initials, most likely those of her parents and grandparents, appear below. Worked in silk on wool, it is in excellent condition, conservation mounted into a 19th century beveled maple frame.

Sampler size: 10 W' x 10" Price: $2000.

AMERICA'S LEADING SAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

M.Finkel

es Daughter.

24 Kezia Burrough, Westtown School, Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1810 Westtown School, founded as a Quaker boarding school in 1799 and still thriving today, is extremely well regarded for the quality of the needlework produced by its early students, who were working under the direction of obviously talented and demanding teachers. Female students followed practically the same curriculum as male students with the addition of needlework, which was taught for two weeks of a six-week period. After "plain sewing" (marking and darning) girls went on to more intricate designs including a sampler such as this geometric medallion and motif piece. The maker signed her work inside a classic Quaker center cartouche with her initials, the year and the name of the school. {'Weston" was used interchangeably with "Westtown" from the school's inception until late in the 1860's when the latter spelling was made official.

The samplermaker was a Quaker girl, Kezia Burrough who was born July 20, 1794, the eldest of six children of Joseph Burrough, Jr. and Martha Davis of the Haddonfield Monthly Meeting in New Jersey.

According to the Westtown School Archives, she entered the school at age 14 in the 11th month of 1808 from the town of Westfield, N.J. and attended through the 5th month of 1810. There are approximately 34 sets of initials (some worked upside down) on the sampler that are presumed to be those of fellow students at the school. Kezia married Benjamin M. Haines at the Haddonfield Monthly Meeting on the 11th month 20th day 1817, and they had three children, remaining in Camden and Burlington Counties. The sampler descended to their daughter, Elizabeth M. Haines who signed the backboard, "E.M. Haines 1864". The sampler was worked predominantly in green silk, a variation from the blue which is found more frequently. Worked in silk on linen, the sampler is in excellent condition, conservation mounted into its original mahogany veneer and beaded frame.

Sampler size: 11" X 12" Price: $4200.

M. Finkel e:J Daughter.

AMERICA'S LEADING sAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

25

Caroline Fisher, Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1814 Our praiseworthy and colorful Caroline Fisher sampler belongs to a small group of closely related pieces which were worked under the guidance of a highly skilled teacher of needlework in Chester County. Betty Ring, in Girlhood Embroidery, Vol. II, page 396, indicates that "the delicacy of [the teacher's] designs, a balanced format, and almost flawless execution reveal that she was teaching in the best English tradition." Our sampler should be compared to the published examples by Sarah Strode and Lydia Jeffries in the collection of the Chester County Historical Society; these three samplers share the large central two-handled urn with carnationlike center flower, low basket with heart motifs and lollipopshaped flowers, willow trees on platforms and the verse from the 137th Psalm which begins, "By Babel's stream we sat and wept." It is a very appealing group and our Fisher sampler is a particularly pleasing example. Attention should be called to the borders of our sampler; needleworkers rarely worked three different and intricate border designs, gracefully flowing from one to the next. (detail) Caroline included the inscriptions on her sampler: "My Parents Henry/ And Esther Fisher/ Caroline Fisher her/ Sampler Aged 9 yea/ rs/ 1814': Research has not yet revealed further information regarding this family, but the documentation of this group of samplers from Chester County leaves no doubt as to where the samplermaker received her education. The sampler is in excellent condition, in silk on linen and conservation mounted into a molded cherry frame.

Sampler size: 16" x 16 W' Price: $6200.

AMERICA'S LEADING SAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

M.Finkel

es Daughter.

26

Ede Prescott, Bennington, Vermont, 1820 This delightful little sampler features a wonderful verse which advocates dividing one's time between reading and needleworking: "Daily on some fond page to look Lay nearer sports aside And let thy needle and thy book Thy youthful hours divide"

.,

;..

.. -'~l.l""'on ~m .. f<>Yid"j...re <O !Oor. - ;,e ~if nt.Uer .i'l'~uidc . Gi'\nd '"'- <h.Y noi•dl. •lld th>' ooo~

..

· S'tv J"OUU\IVI ho~~~ 41vlofe ~

.c~

Ede Prescott of Bennington, Vermont worked this sampler at age 11; she was born January 21, 1809 to a farmer, Jacob Prescott and his wife Bathsheba (Dadmun) Prescott. The inscription "Wrought by Ede Prescott AE 11" is worked over a dense whip-stitched lawn while a satin-stitched leaf and vine cartouche surrounds the verse. The sampler is in very good condition, worked in silk on linen with slight loss to the border. Conservation mounted into a mid-19th century painted frame.

Sampler size: 12 114'' x 13 W' Price: $1900.

Rebecca M. Newbirt, Waldoboro, Maine, 1833 This lovely and straight-forward sampler was worked in the coastal town of Waldoboro, Maine which is northwest of Bath. The samplermaker, Rebecca M. Newbirt was born March 16, 1821 to John and Sallie Newbirt of Waldoboro. She worked this sampler in 1833 when she was twelve years of age and included the number "12" at the end of the line of the alphabet near the center of the sampler. Rebecca married George Wallace on December 12, 1840 in Waldoboro and their only child, Jabez N. Wallace was born October 7, 1844.

Rebecca died 20 days after the birth, at the age of 23, and is buried in the Bornheimer Cemetery in Waldoboro. Her sampler was worked in linen on linen and is in excellent condition with two tiny areas of loss, conservation mounted into a 19th century frame.

n:

vw

Zl

:ro:.n: 4$

- ~s iJI'.I ~9).

89

qrSI::.

0~ ~

Sampler size: 12 W' x 8 W' Price: $950.

M.Finkel e:J Daughter.

AMERICA'S LEADING sAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

Folwell School Miniature, Philadelphia, c. 1800-1810 The wonderful neo-classical silk embroideries worked at the Folwell School in Philadelphia comprise the "largest body... to survive from Federal America," according to Betty Ring in Vol. II of Girlhood Embroidery, and pages 378 to 387 discuss this group in detail. The girls were instructed in needlework by Ann Elizabeth Folwell while her husband, professional miniature painter Samuel Folwell, painted in the faces, hair, limbs and skies. He frequently used white paint for arms while leaving faces the color of unpainted silk, a practice which is obvious on this example.

Most of Folwell's silk embroidered pictures are quite large, indeed Betty Ring states that "many of the embroideries are of a monumental size unequaled elsewhere in America." It was a pleasure to have discovered this gem-like miniature, designed and painted by Folwell and worked by an unknown student at the school. The foliage and sheep were worked in hundreds of tiny French knots and rows of tightly worked satin stitch comprise the landscape. The painting of the young girl's face is truly in scale with miniature portraits on ivory of the period. The silk embroidery is in excellent condition and remains in its original frame with its original reverse painted black and gold mat.

Size of the oval: 4 W' x 5 W' Price: $4400.

AMERICA's LEADING sAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

M.Finkel ~Daughter.

27

Conservation Mounting Of Antique Samplers and Needlework Because of the important role that condition plays in the field of antique samplers and needlework, we strive to insure that these pieces undergo proper preservation while in our care. Below is a step-by-step description of the "conservation mounting" process. Our techniques are simple and straightforward; we remove the dust and dirt particles mechanically, never wet-cleaning the textiles. We use only acid-free materials and museum-approved techniques throughout the process. Please call us if you have any questions in this regard.

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 correct antique manner.

0

When necessary, install trueVueÂŽ Conservation Clear glass which blocks 97% of the harmful Ultra-violet light.

0

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.

M.Finkel ~Daughter.

AMERICA'S LEADING SAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

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

Washington, DC: DAR Museum, 1989.

Benes, Peter. Old-Town and The Waterside.

The Historical Society of Old Newbury, Newburyport,1986 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 Centuey. . Curious Works Press, 1992.

Herr, Patricia T. The Ornamental Branches, Needlework and Art from the Lititz Moravian Girls' School Between 1800 and 1865.

The Heritage Center Museum of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 1996.

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

Birdsboro, PA: Pennsylvania German Society, 1991 Krueger, Glee F. A Galleey 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 Embroideey: American Samplen & Pictorial Needlework, 1650-1850.

Knopf, 1983.

Let Vntue 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. Arts and Crafts of Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Exton, PA., 1980 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 Wmterthur 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. ·

AMERICA ' S LEADING SAMPLER AND NEEDLEWORK DEALER

M.Finkel as Daughter.