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Friday 7 August 2009

The Ackworth School Bookmarks

Even while I was working on the final images for the Quaker School Girl Samplers from Ackworth book, new items kept coming to light, and I wondered if the work would ever be ready for publication. One of these finds occurred when we were searching for the Bills of Fare to image and couldn't find it in its habitual folder. So we were frantically looking everywhere, very aware that the clock was ticking away. Then, we came across a fairly ordinary, large manila envelope and I hoped with all my heart the Bills of Fare had been tucked in there by mistake. Instead, we found a cache of bookmarks accompanied by small handwritten letters to Mary Stickney. It was a special moment. And even more special when I eavesdropped on the special affection the girls felt for their departing mistress, as you had a chance to do here, yesterday. The ribbons and cards were still bright and fresh - though a little creased for being stored away in the envelope for so long. The majority were quite simply made, perforated card cross-stitched with a heart-felt sentiment, and stitched to a special ribbon. Others were stitched or hand-written on more elaborate punch-cards and adorned with rosettes. Mary Stickney was clearly an adored teacher.


1 comment:

  1. Jacqueline these are just absolutely beautiful, and such an accolate for a much loved teacher. Wish we could re-create them. Lots of Love Patti xxx

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