#6966                                                                                                        Mary Main Sampler             
 

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12 " x 13 1/4 ".   16 1/4 " x 18 " including a Lovely 19th century maple frame. Mary's delightful sampler features the alphabets, numbers and dividing floral bands that we expect to see on a 19th century piece of needlework, but so much more. The wooded scene at the bottom of the sampler actually reminds me of a Disney forest. It is absolutely charming. There is a small fantasy-type castle complete with flags or banners blowing in the breeze. The castle is surrounded with wonderful trees and florals that almost seem to be protecting the castle.  The only thing missing from the scene is a princess strolling out the door with a basket of apples. Mary's sampler is truly a wonderful whimsical work of art.

 
                                          

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                                                                                             According to geneological records, Mary Main was born on September 5 in either 1793 or 1794 in the town of Ancroft, Durham, England. Her parents were Margory Johnston and Richard Main.  Although the sampler is English, it has a de- cidedly Scottish look to it. When I checked a map, I dis- covered that Ancroft is indeed very close to the Scottish border so Mary was definitely influenced by the needlework being done in Scotland at that time. She signed her sampler "Ancroft August 3, 1803 Mary Main".        l                         
                                                                                

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There are a few holes in Mary's charming sampler.  But it has been backed by another piece of linen so the holes are not obvious. Most of the holes are in the bottom border and signature areas. There are also a couple of holes in the alphabet area and just above the large pansy band near the middle.  But the colors are strong and there is very little thread loss. The sampler has been mounted on acid-free board.                                                                                                                                           $1865

                                                                             #6971                                                                                        Jane Davidson Family Register Sampler
                           Windham Township, Rockingham, New Hampshire                            

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16 " x 17 1/4".    18 1/2" x 19 3/4 " including possibly the ori- ginal gilt frame.  Jane's beautiful sampler is a stunning example of an American Family Register.  This group of samplers is fam- ous for their spectacular floral borders and Jane's sampler is certainly no exception.  She stitched two wonderful diamond patterned cornucopias filled with gorgeous florals growing up the sides and across the top of the piece.   And an absolutely won- derful addition is the lovely scene at the bottom of the sampler.  Perhaps one of those houses is the house that Jane grew up in.   Jane was born on December 7, 1808 in Windham Township, Rockingham County, New Hampshire.  Her sampler depicts the Family Register of Deacon William Davidson (1761- 1839), his wife Jane Barnet (1765-1832) and their 8 children.
  

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Her verse reads:

" The genealogy of Jane Davidson wrought 1821.
What nothing earthly gives, or can destroy
The soul's calm sunshine and the heart felt joy
Is virtues's prize."

We have an exceptional amount of provenance on this lovely sampler.   We also have a wonderful hand colored fraktur with all of the same names and dates as the sampler.   It measures 9 1/2" x 11 3/4" in its painted wood frame.   In addition we have five early 19th century handwritten letters or notes, three of which pertain to two of William's daugh- ters'qualifications to teach school at the Pinkerton Academy in Derry, New Hampshire.
                                                                                                  

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There is some obvious staining along the left side of the sam- pler as well as a bit of darkening in the top right corner of the piece.   And there is some thread loss, primarily in the verse area.  The verse is not entirely legible, but I was able to read enough to identify the quote by Alexander Pope.  But there are no holes in the fabric and the colors of the silk are still vibrant.   The sampler has been backed with another piece of linen and mounted on acid-free board.

The fraktur also shows a bit of staining, but the colors are still lovely.  The names and dates have faded a bit but are defin- itely legible.   The fraktur has also been mounted on acid-free board.   This sampler comes with a notebook of family letters and notes.                                                                                                                             $4250