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                             #6424                                                                                                         Quaker Alphabet Sampler

8 1/2" x 18 1/2".  10 1/2 " x 20 1/2" including a modern frame.  While we don't know the name of the girl who stitched this charming alphabet sampler, we do know that she was a Quaker.   She used the very characteristically Quaker block alphabet.  She did not finish her sampler,  so it is not signed or dated, but I believe it is circa 1830.       
                  

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It is also a nice touch that three of her alphabets include the amper- sand symbol, which is a bit unusual.   Our stitcher surrounded her sampler with a simple "wave" border and included one little branch of foliage.   The touches of blue stitching were probably added at a later date.                

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The sampler is in very good condition with just a bit of thread loss.  There is one fairly large stain in the upper left that is visable in the pictures.    There are no holes although I did find a couple of broken threads in the backing fabric.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     $1235.00

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#6383
 Miniature Sampler

11 1/4" x 8".  16 " x 12 1/2" including a modern frame.   This extremely unusual miniature sampler is very charming and quite lovely.  Although the center of the sampler is filled with a series of initials, (either that or a series of letters that do not have an obvious meaning), our stitcher did not sign her name to the piece.          

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She started her sampler with three compartment- alized alphabets across the top.   She followed that with an assortment of spot motifs including a crown, an altar, a church, and several small animals includ- ing a very unusual bird.   But, the true beauty of this sampler is in the wonderful surrounding floral border.  It surrounds the motifs as well as the cartouche in the center, giving the entire sampler a light, airy appearance.  The sampler is dated 1810 in the center of the altar.                                                                                                                                                 

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                                                                                                                                            Sadly, there are some problems to the condition of this sweet sampler.    There are several holes in the ground fabric.   The worst of these is, of course, in the center of the piece.   If you click on the enlarged pictures, the holes are visible.   But, there are no losses to the silk (other than in the center) and the colors are still vibrant.  There is no staining.  The sampler has been mounted on acid free board.                                                                                                                                       $1265.00

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#6235
 Birds & Hearts Sampler

7 7/8" x 9 1/2". 9 3/4" x 11 1/2" including a modern frame.   While this charming unfinished sampler is not signed or dated, it is a very nice antique sampler at a very affordable price.  It begins with several individual bands of different stitches including, long arm cross stitch, algerian eye stitch and sawtooth satin stitch.   Our stitcher follows those decorative bands with an upper case alphabet, again separating each row with a decorative stitch.  Next we see a charming band of motifs including birds, hearts and florals.          

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                                                                                                                                                                      She started another alphabet worked in algerian eye stitch, but that one was never finished.   There are also several random attempts at a few stitches here and there. So, she probably rolled up her sampler and put it in her sewing basket to store the patterns and used it to experiment with new ones.   The sam pler is circa 1850.     

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                                                                                                              The condition of the sampler is very good.  There are two very small holes.  One is between the "L & M" and the other is just below the large flower on the left.  There are also a few minor stains, but the colors of the silks are still vibrant.                                                                                                                     $485.00

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#6263
 Mary Ann Stark Sampler

12 1/2" x 12 1/2". 15 3/4" x 15 3/4" including probably the original frame.  Mary Ann's lovely silkwork sampler is a mourning sampler for her brother, Charles.  She stitched a beautiful floral border surrounding florals, trees, birds, cherubs and a very poignant verse.   The center of the sampler also has a very lovely basket of flowers.  She signed her sampler " Mary ann Stark 1848".

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The verse reads:                                                       " The Death of a Brother                                       Charles is gone dear youth how                             Suddent was the stroke he received                       When coming home from work                             Short was the time he had in this world to stay      For God who gave can surely take away".               

    

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The condition of Mary ann's sampler is good although there are some holes.   They are mostly in the border area with the only really noticable one being above the small heart near the right border. There are two or three others but they are not obvious. The color of the silks are still vibrant and there is only one stain in the top left corner.                                                                      $1150.00

                                                                         #6753                                                                                              Eliz. Maria Puddlecombe Sampler
                                                        

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17" x 19 1/2".   22 1/2" x 24 1/2 " including the original frame.   The florals in Elizabeth's beautiful sampler are absolutely won- derful!  They are very elaborate and filled with lots of color and many different stitches.   The top center floral is especially gor- geous.   I have never seen anything quite like it.   There is an amazing amount of texture in this lovely sampler.  Interestingly, Elizabeth actually abbreviated her first name on the sampler.  I don't think I have ever seen that before.  She signed her sam- pler,  "Eliz. Maria Puddlecombe  1838".   There are florals of all types, birds, deer, baskets of fruit, stars, trees, a verse and a floral border.        

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                                   Elizabeth's verse reads:

1. It is Religion that can give Sweetest pleasure while we live.  Religion only can supply Solid comfort when we die.  2. After death its joys shall be Lasting as eternity.   If the Saviour be my friend Then my bliss will never end.
3.   Short is our longest day of life  And soon its prospect end. Yet on that day uncertain date Eternity depends.
4.   Grant in me thy humble mind Patient pitiful and kind
Meek and lowly let me be Full of goodness full of thee."                                                                                                                                        

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There is a bit of damage to Elizabeth's beautiful sampler.   To the left and underneath verse #4, the sampler had been cut, probably by broken glass at some time.   In order to stablize the area, I attached the sampler to another piece of linen using invisable quilting thread.   There is also a hole and a dark spot just under the center floral and some damage along the bottom of the sampler as well as an overall darkening to the fabric.  But, as the pictures show, it is still a lovely piece.                                                                                           $1675.00