When Mary Ann Andrews sat down to embroider this sample she didn't opt for the usual alphabet and numbers but chose instead to create a wonderful variety of images including a beautiful Georgian style house, flowers, a cat, birds, crowns and her parrot which she refers to as Pretty My Poll. There is also the obligatory religious rhyme. It is by far the best of the samplers that I have found over the many years taht I have been interested in antiques and it measures about 32x31cm.
I bought this sampler in Suffolk and, when Mary Ann created this it was 1838 and she was eleven. I have found a Mary Ann Andrews recorded as born in Hoxne in "around" 1826. Hoxne is only 14 miles from where I bought the sampler and the date in the records is approximate so this could possibly be the same Mary Ann. The glass and wooden backing to the sampler were damaged but I have kept and am including the original frame as the buyer may wish to use the frame when re-framing.
The sampler is delicate at the bottom right and I have shown this clearly in the photos. Fortunately this fragile part of the sampler only fractionally affects the overall border pattern of the piece. At the top of the sampler there are two small blobs of glue residue where the original framer managed to get glue onto the surface when gluing paper to the backing board. I have shown this clearly in the photos. I have found no other flaws. Please study the photos carefully to satisfy yourself with the condition of the piece.
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As always I am selling without reserve and at a low starting price to encourage early bidders. I start all my sales at below cost as there is no fun in an auction without any bids. Shipping within the UK will be free. That's right, what you bid will be what you pay. Overseas shipping will be by eBay Global Shipping Programme. I offer a NO QUIBBLE money back guarantee and will refund you in full if you are in any way unhappy with this item.