I know from the seller of this one that the maker, who cross-stitched her name here in 1791, was Sarah "Salle" Jessup (b. 1772) of Palmyra, NY. I've been thinking a lot lately about how young the United States is, and how close at hand, really, the American Revolution--which has me feeling especially keen to hold 18th century American things in my hands. So while this is a small, humble sampler, I could not leave it behind, and I like the staccato rhythm of it too, making companions of pairs and groups of letters: EF, GH, PQ, etc., as if reciting them aloud at the same time as stitching them.
5 3/4" high by 8". Hand-dyed brown, blue and ochre thread on linen. General toning and there are a few spots showing green, as documented. Not at all fragile.
 
             
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
       
      