Sampler
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Esther Baldwin
American, 1814 - 1844
Date1823
MediumEmbroidery; silk threads on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 7 1/4 x 7 1/4in. (18.4 x 18.4cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineMuseum purchase
DescriptionMarking sampler worked in medium blue, medium brown, dark brown, medium gray-brown, light brown, cream, and pink silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground using cross and other stitches. The sampler is square. It is laid out with four rows of two alphabets and the numbers 1 through 9 followed by a zero, over an inscription. The inscription is "Esther Baldwin aged 9/ years October 1 1823". Certain lines of alphabets, numbers, and text are separated by various narrow borders, including straight and meandering lines. There is no border on the top or sides of the sampler.
The sampler has a 2/8-inch double-turned hem on all four edges. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets and the numbers 1-9 followed by a zero. The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1, and lowercase block in alphabet 2. The letters J and U are present in both alphabets. The letter Z is backwards in the first alphabet; the second alphabet ends in "y". The embroiderer uses long the 's'.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch over two threads; it is also worked in long-arm cross (or herringbone) and Algerian eye stitches.
Condition: The sampler has several stains, especially in the center and at the top right. The ground has split to the lower right of center. There is some color bleed. There is a visible 4-way crease. The sampler has minimal fading. It is not framed.
The sampler has a 2/8-inch double-turned hem on all four edges. The sampler is not framed.
Letters and Numbers: There are two alphabets and the numbers 1-9 followed by a zero. The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1, and lowercase block in alphabet 2. The letters J and U are present in both alphabets. The letter Z is backwards in the first alphabet; the second alphabet ends in "y". The embroiderer uses long the 's'.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch over two threads; it is also worked in long-arm cross (or herringbone) and Algerian eye stitches.
Condition: The sampler has several stains, especially in the center and at the top right. The ground has split to the lower right of center. There is some color bleed. There is a visible 4-way crease. The sampler has minimal fading. It is not framed.
Object number1967.58.2
MarkingsTranscription of text lines:"ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQ/ RSTUVWXYZ& abcdef/ fghijklmnopqrstuvwxy/ 1234567890/ Esther Baldwin aged 9/ years October 1 1823".
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