Gorgeous Samplers Sold At Skinners Inc * Boston * USA

Because we are still working flat out, we had our eyes off the ball last week and missed this fabulous auction at Skinner Inc in Boston, USA which featured some exquisite pieces from the collection of Gregory Rubin Reynolds. Including 30 fabulous samplers. Here is a taster of what we missed!
Lot 211 was a sampler by Martha Bradley who tells us she was born January 31 1774 and worked this sampler age 12. Martha Bradley was the daughter of Amos and Elesebeth Bradley of Dracut, Massachusetts. Martha worked it in silk threads on a linen ground, with rows of alphabets over signature lines, surrounded by solid-stitched floral borders on three sides and lower geometric border, (background linen toned), 13 x 10 1/2 in., unframed.

Lot 589 was probably an English sampler stitched by Clara Barnes Aged 6 Years Finish`d December 4th 1828. Worked in silk threads on a linen/wool ground, it has rows of stars, potted plants, baskets of fruit, and birds, over a scene with a large tree with perching bird flanked by a tower, castle, fence, animals, and baskets of fruit enclosed in a geometric floral vine, (scattered small losses to background fabric, toning, fading), 17 1/4 x 13 in., in a period maple frame.

Lot 584 was another English sampler by Emily Cone Aged 12 Years 1837 also in silk threads on a linen/wool ground with a large house flanked by trees, flowers, and birds over a pious verse, with three borders depicting crowns, urns, flowers, and baskets of fruit, birds, potted plants, and flowering vegetation, enclosed in a geometric flowering vine, (minor losses to background fabric, minor toning and fading), 17 x 12 1/4 in., in a later wood frame.

Lot 582 was a needlework family record by Mary Ann Hobbs of Livermore, Androscoggin County, Maine listing life events of Josiah Hobbs (b. 1787) and Sarah Walker (b. 1788), married on February 18, 1813, and their two children William (b. 1814) and Mary Ann (b. 1821), with geometric and floral borders, (minor toning and fading), sight size 17 1/4 x 17 1/2 in., in a later mahogany veneer frame. According to History of the Town of Livermore Maine..., by Ira Thompson Monroe, 1928, Colonel Josiah Hobbs (1788-1855) married Sarah Walker (1788-1872) and resided in Livermore, Maine. Colonel Hobbs was prominent in town affairs. The couple had two children, William (1815-1896) and Mary Ann (1821-1886). Mary Ann married Sonanus Briggs (1823-1902) also of Livermore, and together they had five children. To see the entire auction click here.