I was excited to find this, and two more listed today, folded up together in a sleeve in Maine this week; I recognized them immediately as old quilting templates, but didn't take the time to open them up in the shop. When I got home I was surprised, and delighted, to find that they are quite early ones--the other two cut from the Pennsylvania "Dollar Weekly" and this one, from a newspaper printed in German, dated 1858. Pure Pennsylvania German (if only with a fraktur watercolor painted on one side!) Cut like snowflakes by folding the paper in eighths, they are rather miraculous survivors, in pretty much perfect condition save a few toning spots here and there. And they function like time capsules too, with the news of the day clearly readable, thoguh in this case requiring German! I really love the curvaceous forms around the perimenter or this one, looking like heart-flowers with stamens at their center.
11 1/8" d and in excellent antique condition, no tears or losses, just a bit of minor toning, not fragile.