Description
Please super size photos below for best views & condition.
A stunning & finely worked early 19th century ANTIQUE AMERICAN SAMPLER by Mary Eleanor Galbraith inscribed with her name, date and school:
"Mary Eleanor Galbraith / St. Michael's Jan 12. 1836"
Mary Eleanor stitched her sampler with silk threads on linen and included six lines of alphabets and numbers worked in pastel shades over her signature, worked in black. She enclosed her sampler on all four sides with a wide flower and vine border of bold and bright design worked in deeper colored silks.
I purchased this schoolgirl needlework at auction in Virginia with a stated provenance from a Tennessee private collection and the catalog notation "Possibly Kentucky or Tennessee". I would say, based on style and stitchwork, it is quite possibly from either of those states, although Western PA, Eastern OH, VA/WV/MD, etc.; are other strong possibilities. I have been unable to identify this Mary Eleanor Galbraith who was probably was born between 1820 and 1830; nor have I been able to find any record for other samplers from "St. Michael's" school. Given the use of her full name, particularly with the less common middle name of Eleanor, someone with better research skills (and better access to the data bases) may be able to locate our Mary Eleanor Galbraith and from that point also identify St. Michael's school.
The sampler is quite large, measuring overall about 21" x 21 1/2" with a sight size of approximately 17" x 17 1/2". Framed and glazed in a custom molded wood frame (not antique but of the style). The date is either 1835 or 1836 - although the black stitching of the "signature" is very clear I'm not sure whether the date is 1835 or 1836 (see close-ups). Overall fading to stitches and age-expected minor toning to ground with small scattered losses and old repairs, none distracting. Displays beautifully.
An exceptional early American School Girl Sampler.
Please email with any questions & thanks for looking.
I pack very carefully and shipping insurance is ALWAYS included. Any excess postage will be promptly refunded.
