1879 English Needlework Sampler
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GUEST:
This was my grandmother's sampler that allowed her to become a home ec teacher. There were no exams. She had to produce whatever she could do. And there's tatting and lacework and knitting and so on all over this. She was accepted because of this.
APPRAISER:
Well, she was a very talented person. There's just an infinite variety of stitches here, and I find it a little... rather poignant in the fact that she's included a couple of bars here of "Home, Sweet Home." I noted with interest that you have a photograph of the woman who made the piece.
GUEST:
This is my grandmother.
APPRAISER:
Do you know whether she continued to do needlework throughout her life?
GUEST:
Because I was quite young when she died, I don't remember at all her doing anything other than wearing rosary beads round her neck and praying. (laughs) I do remember that vividly.
APPRAISER:
It's not that this is like a terrifically early or rare sampler, but I think the fact that all these pieces have been put together into this... Well, it's a veritable collage, if you will-- it demonstrates that her talents were varied and considerable. This is very typically an English needlework. Now, this gal was from Oldham, and you say that's near Manchester, England.
GUEST:
Near Manchester, England, yes.
APPRAISER:
And it's dated, I believe, 1879.
GUEST:
Yes.
APPRAISER:
Her maiden name, Harriet Taylor, is here, "A pupil teacher in St. Marie's School."
GUEST:
Mm-hmm.
APPRAISER:
Now we get down to deciding just what its value is. For a sampler enthusiast, this is quite a rare piece. I think the value would be in the area of $1,500 or $2,500 anyway. I think it's great fun.
GUEST:
Good.
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