Lot Number: 269-1 (description taken from Sotheby's catalogue) RARE NEEDLEWORK SAMPLER, LUCY MONROE, PROBABLY NEW HAMPSHIRE, CIRCA 1825 Worked in silk threads and crinkled silk floss on linen in satin, padded satin, chain, split, back and cross-stitches with French knots and hem-stitching. Inscribed: Lucy Munroe aged 10 years. 17 by 13 inches. (23 threads to the inch). Sothby's estimate: $12,500 - $18,750 (for lots 269-1 & 269-2 together with 25% buyer's premium added) Sold (SPECIAL SALES PRICE - no buyers premium) (for sampler 269-1 only, pictured above) (To purchase call 860-388-6809) Catalogue Note: This sampler worked by Lucy Munroe displays an unusual number and variety of complex stitches rarely seen on samplers worked at this late date. This fact alone suggests that it may have been stitched at an earlier time. Stylistically, the sampler appears to have originated in southern New Hampshire, for similar flower motifs can be found on the embroidery worked in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, by Dolly Yalding (fig. 33) in 1826. The back-stitched outline of the basket of fruit that dominates the borderless design also implies a New Hampshire attribution. Not often found on samplers originating in other parts of New England, this dark outline, a skillful design technique, is effectively employed on the sampler motifs worked by Mehitable Foster in 1786 (fig. 8) and Sally Abbot in 1818 (fig. 28)-who were both from New Hampshire as well. The use of such contrasting outlines enhances the impact of these designs. PROVENANCE: Davida Deutsch, New York, April, 1974 Exhibited and Literature: LACMA, pp. 79, fig. 31 STEPHEN & CAROL HUBER (860) 388-6809 Hubers@AntiqueSamplers.com View Other Edmonds Samplers