Karen Augusta Auction * Sturbridge MA, USA * 8 September 2010

It was love at first sight when I saw this image in my mailbox this morning. This vibrant spot sampler of circa 1875 teems with delightful animal, bird and flower motifs watched over by African American children. Notice the Heart in Hand motif just above the building and trumpet. The Karen Augusta historic textile auction will be held on 8 September and if you are thinking of attending Brimfield’s Fall Antique Week, don’t miss the Wednesday afternoon/evening sale in nearby Sturbridge. More than 5,000 new-to-market fashion and textile objects will be sold in this one-day sale. These rare objects have been hidden away for decades in storage facilities of many legendary American museums: The Brooklyn Museum (NY), Northampton Historical Society (MA), The Heritage Society of Houston (TX), The Columbus Museum (GA), The Chrysler Museum of Art (VA), The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (CA) and others. These amazing collections, as well as selections from other institutions, estates and individual consignors will be sold to the highest bidder, free of any minimum bids or reserves. All catalogued auction lots and discovery sale objects will sell on September 8.