Horn Book @ Thomas Roddick Auction & Weston School Sampler @ Michaans California

Horn books are like dragon's teeth. Once upon a time just about every child would have owned one - now they are mostly all gone. Some passed to another existence as hotel menu holders, but this one still seems to reflect its original usage. No date is given, but Lot 216 at Roddick Auctions for sale on 4 April comes with a miniature sampler. There is no estimate for this lot. For more details, click here.

From Thomas Roddick, too, is this early 19th century lace silk and pearl panel depicting two figures framed within an elaborate silk and pearl embroidered panel. It measures just 9cm x 11cm and is Lot 217 in the 4 April sale. For more details, click here.

Also for sale by Thomas Roddick on 4 April is Lot 236 - a 19th century sampler on fine linen by Mary Twedale dated 1811. It measures 39cm x 32cm. There is no estimate given for this lot. Click here for more details.

Further south, at Rye Auction Galleries for sale on 5 April is Lot 388 - an unfinished 17th century white linen sampler framed and glazed. Estimate is £400-£500. Click here for more details.

Lot 200 above is for sale on 9 April at the Cotswold Auction Company, Cheltenham. Signed Emma Bliss her work, finished in the 10th year of her age 1838, it measures 42 x 32cm approx. and is glazed and framed. The estimate is £80 - £100. Click here for more details.

Finally, a very attractive sampler is Lot 4 for sale on 18 April by George Kidner. it is an early 19th Century needlework sampler, worked with a farm, birds and a tree, signed Ann Harding and dated 1811. It measures 48cm (19in.) square and comes with an estimate of £250-£350. Click here for more details.

In the top right corner of this image is the Weston School Sampler. It is for auction by Michaans of California, USA on 7 April. The description of the items in this Lot 490 are: Three Samplers, Including a Weston School Sampler. Three American Needlework Panels, Including a Weston School Sampler featuring a house by Hannah Carpenter Ellet, unframed (losses to panel); and two alphabet panels (one unfinished); together with two beaded and needlework panels {Dimensions of Weston School sampler 13 x 10 inches}. Start: $150. Estimate: $400 - $600. Click here for more details.