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Thursday 30 May 2013

Sampler Identification Days 2013 * USA * Wilmington 8 June * Dover 15 June * Lewes 18 July

Photo by Evan Krape
The University of Delaware’s Sampler Archive Project invites the public to bring their antique American samplers to one of three upcoming “Sampler ID Days” so that the needlework can be registered, documented and photographed for inclusion in a national heritage database to debut online in 2014. The dates are: June 8 at the Delaware Historical Society in Wilmington; June 15 at the Biggs Museum of American Art in Dover; and July 18 at the Lewes Historical Society in Lewes. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Morning hours are for individuals with appointments; afternoon hours are for both appointments and drop-ins. Appointments are required for anyone bringing three or more samplers to allow adequate time for documentation and photography. To schedule an appointment, call 1-877-909-2525 or email samplerID@samplerconsortium.org. The Sampler Archive Project is a national effort to develop a searchable online database of information and images for all known American samplers and related schoolgirl embroideries from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The project was launched two years ago through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to the University’s Winterthur Program in American Material Culture. Funding from the Delaware Humanities Forum is supporting the project’s latest initiative to locate, document and photograph these historic needle works in public and private collections in the First State and neighbouring communities. This is a wonderful initiative which will help future scholarship. However, if you allow your sampler to be imaged, do check copyright issues. Make sure you retain control over how your image is used, by whom and for what purposes - and in what size images (large enough to chart from or thumb nail for reference?). If you have any concerns do not be afraid to ask or reserve your permission until you have more information. Perhaps this is something you could do in your country?

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