Photos don't do much justice to this one--a fight with glare and so not especially well lit when I was shooting it--but hopefully details give a decent sense. Found in Pennsylvania this summer, it is a very early 1800s penmanship exercise, executed across a two page laid paper folio, in a roughly period frame, as found. And I must say the Viva La Plume in red inked fraktur lettering at top pretty much sold me right away! Then two main passages, encircled in fancy red and black inked ovals: "Ingratitude" (starting with "self love the spring that activates the soul" ) and "On Honor" ("the sense of honor is of so fine and delicate a nature..."). On to large phrases inside cartouches at bottom--which is when one starts to realize there are some (to my sensibilities very endearing) imperfections and corrections here! ("Honour your pare" with "nts" written in tiny letters above; "Poverty Accompanies" followed by a tiny "lazy", etc.) And packed inside every decorated border, oriented in every direction toward the center, are small fraktur-lettered phrases in red--including the name Rhoda Goodrich at bottom center edge, with a date that looks to me like January 1, 180_. A quick search of her name turned up a few possibilities, but I have not dug deep into it. I don't come across an early penmanship piece like this very often, which I want to call a penmanship sampler more than I do an exercise!
20 1/8" x 17 1/2" framed, as found, in Pennsylvania. Very good condition, completely legible, with black ink surely having faded a bit over 200+ years but still strong, and the red as if written yesterday. Paper in very good condition, some toning along center fold and minor scattered toning spots. Frame in very good condition with wired back for hanging.
You might also like
