Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Caroline Mary Goodwin
American, born 1803
Date8 July 1811
MediumEmbroidery; silk thread on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width of frame): 9 3/8 x 8 1/4in. (23.8 x 21cm)
Primary Dimensions (height x width of visible ground): 8 5/8 x 7 3/8in. (21.9 x 18.7cm)
Primary Dimensions (height x width of visible ground): 8 5/8 x 7 3/8in. (21.9 x 18.7cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of Marguerite Riordan
DescriptionSampler worked in dark brown, dark blue, light brown, medium brown, and cream silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground using cross (over two threads) and running stitches. The sampler is squarish, oriented vertically. It is laid out with nine rows of four alphabets and the numbers 1 through 10, over three inscriptions. The first inscription is "Caroline M. Goodwin. Aged/ 8 years. Born Feb. 20th 1803". The second inscription is "Youth like the spring, will soon be past." The third inscription is "Hampton July 8th/ 1811". Certain lines of alphabets, numbers, and text are separated by various borders, including straight and meandering lines The sampler has a four-sided border. The border at the top is more elaborate than the border on the other three sides.
The sampler has a 1/8 inch double-turned hem on all four sides.
Letters and Numbers: There are four alphabets and the numbers 1-10. The letters are uppercase block in alphabets 1 and 4, uppercase script in alphabet 2, and lowercase block in alphabet 3. The letter J is present in the first and third alphabets; the letter U is present in the first, second and third alphabets. The letter S in the first alphabet is backwards. The fourth alphabet ends at the letter I.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross over two threads and running stitches.
Condition: The sampler probably has light to moderate fading, depending on color. The sampler has been washed and mounted.
The sampler has a 1/8 inch double-turned hem on all four sides.
Letters and Numbers: There are four alphabets and the numbers 1-10. The letters are uppercase block in alphabets 1 and 4, uppercase script in alphabet 2, and lowercase block in alphabet 3. The letter J is present in the first and third alphabets; the letter U is present in the first, second and third alphabets. The letter S in the first alphabet is backwards. The fourth alphabet ends at the letter I.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross over two threads and running stitches.
Condition: The sampler probably has light to moderate fading, depending on color. The sampler has been washed and mounted.
Object number1995.91.1
MarkingsTranscription of text lines:"ABCDEFGHIJKLMN/ OPQRSTUVWXYZ/ ABCDEFGHIKL/ MNOPQRSTU/ VWXY./ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv/ wxyz./ ABCDEFGHI/ 12345678910./ Caroline M. Goodwin. Aged/ 8 years. Born Feb. 20th 1803/ Youth like the spring, will soon be past. Hampton July 8th/ 1811".
Subject Terms
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