1832 New England Schoolgirl Sampler - DESIRE MATTHEWS

Description: Framed 1832 New EnglandAntique Needlework Schoolgirl SamplerDESIRE MATTHEWS - 10 yrs. Old Bristol County, MassachusettsProvenance: This sampler is still in its original frame with original wavy antique glass, where it was mounted c.1910s, and it bears its original screw-eye-and-cable hanger. Though the needlework bears no date, the tag behind the glass states, "Worked in the year 1832."Content: Your sampler includes three alphabets and two poems (a total of three stanzas). The first poem is surprisingly morbid (It's actually a marriage of portions from two songs by Isaac Watts: Song 13 - The Danger of Delay, and Death of the Young), while the second is more inspirational (a portion of the song The Example of Christ by Ann Taylor). The work also has the artist's signature and age at the bottom, as well as imagery: two stylized ferns, a stylized vine, stylized heart, and other adornments in the alphabet area. The artist's initials, "DM," are also present near the top after the first alphabet. The third alphabet (lower case) has no letter "j", but interestingly enough, it has both forms of the letter "s"--including the long "s", which had largely dropped out of use at the turn of the 19th century. Desire Matthews (1822-1865) was born in the New England town of South Dartmouth, Bristol County, Massachusetts. She apparently remained living in that county until her death in 1865 at the age of 43, having never married. Notice that she was born in 1822 and the tag says she made the sampler in 1832. This is not inconsistent with what the needlework states: "Made in the 11th year of her."--which is, of course, an archaic way of saying the 11th year of her life, when she would have been a "ten-year-old" in our modern way of expressing it. (Your 11th birthday marks the end of the 11th year of your life.) First Poem:Why should I say tis yet too soon To seek for heaven or think of death A flower may fade before tis noon And I this day may lose my breath. There is an hour when I must die Nor do I know how soon twill come A thousand children young as I Are call'd by death to hear their doom. Second Poem:Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour Once became a child like me O that in my whole behaviour He my pattern still might be. DIMENSIONS (approx.): Visible art 16" square; framed size 21" square. [ CONDITION... ] - Beautiful antique condition, from a non-smoking environment. - The thread colors are quite good for their age--not faded out as often happens. - Some very old dampstain (from before it was framed c.1910s), and some age separation near the top. See the last few photos for closeups. - The frame is solid, and the antique wavy glass has no cracks or chips. The above is my good-faith attempt to disclose all noteworthy issues. Keep in mind that vintage/antique items always show their age. (Don't we all!?) It would be impossible to mention every tiny detail, so please expect that there will be something about this item (or lot) that's not perfect and may need touch-up. PLEASE SUPERSIZE ALL PHOTOS, AND ASK ALL QUESTIONS BEFORE BIDDING/BUYING. I'LL BE GLAD TO ANSWER. [ ALL ABOUT SHIPPING... ]SHIPPING UPGRADES: At our discretion, we may upgrade your shipping to a different service at no additional charge to you ... provided it's rated the same (or faster) than the service you chose. If you do not wish to have your shipping choice upgraded, please message me as soon as you complete your purchase. INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING: By default, international shipment is through eBay's Global Shipping Program, which means the shipping rate (cost) is determined by eBay -- outside my control. BUT ... If you live in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, or U.K., message me to see whether there may be a cheaper alternative using Priority Post -- depending on the size and value of your parcel. [ RETURN POLICY... ]I work hard to maintain Top-Rated eBay Seller status and 100% positive customer feedback by: (a) offering quality vintage merchandise with honest descriptions, and (b) providing outstanding, professional customer service. This item may be returned up to 14 days from purchase for either of two reasons: - Dead on arrival: an item that is broken so it does not function, and the listing did not state this, or - Significantly not as described: A major flaw or discrepancy vs. what was stated in the listing.(Of course, shipping loss or damage is a different matter; that is fully covered by insurance.) SORRY, WE CANNOT NEGOTIATE PARTIAL REFUNDS. The merchandise must be returned in its entirety, and in the same condition as it was sent, in order to qualify for a refund. [Blurb required by eBay for cell phone users:] *** PLEASE VIEW THE FULL DESCRIPTION BEFORE BIDDING. IT CONTAINS VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION. THANK YOU. *** If you are on a mobile device, click "Read More." Or, if you see a "Full Description" button, click on that.

Price: 489.99 USD

Location: Newark, Delaware

End Time: 2024-11-09T22:13:17.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD