So many different sorts of samplers to love, for different reasons. As far as alphabet samplers go (simple ones like this are also called marking samplers), I see a lot of lovely early examples around New England, with precisely embroidered, densely packed letters marching along perfectly straight lines, and I do very much admire them. But much less often do I come across an example as naive, and so, as expressive, as this one. And I think small ones are the best. Just my sort, I presume done by a girl age five or six as a first attempt. And with the homespun it was executed on equally imperfect, showing a less tight band of weaving before the freeform zig zags, looking as if a first step toward flame stitching, begin. I do know this came out of an old Connecticut estate, and my guess, based on manner, is earlyish 19th century.
7 5/8" x 5 3/4" framed, under glass, as found, in a simple wooden frame, not antique but not new. The sampler is flat/taut in the frame, with just a hair of the right edge visible. Good condition, with a few light stains toward the bottom edge, as evident. Wired on the back for hanging.
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