Bidspirit auction | A Pair of American Schoolgirl

A Pair of American Schoolgirl Needlework Samplers, 18th Century - This is a pair of antique American schoolgirl needlework samplers, including a piece documented to 1788. The left sampler is worked in cross-stitch on a coarse, naturally colored linen ground. It features a full uppercase alphabet followed by numerals 1 through 8. Below the alphabets, the sampler is inscribed: PIO*ELIZX / BETSY COE / WAS BORN / NOVEMBER / 17 1773 / 1788. The bottom register includes decorative heart and floral motifs. The right sampler is a smaller cross-stitch work on linen featuring both uppercase and lowercase alphabets, numerical sequences 1 through 6, and various decorative horizontal border patterns. Both textiles are individually mounted in early simple wood frames and set into a larger modern wooden shadowbox frame with a neutral mat. A printed label on the front matting states: These family items were purchased from the estate of John Genung. 26 W. Main St., Waterloo, NY in 2006. The reverse of the inner wooden frame bears handwritten pencil inscriptions reading: His Grandmother, were married, and G. B. Baker. Height: 13.5 inches, Width: 19.5 inches. Both samplers exhibit significant age-related toning, darkening, and foxing to the linen grounds throughout. There is visible fading to the colored threads, although the green and gold tones remain legible. The early inner wood frames show heavy aged patina, wear, and surface scratches consistent with age. The modern outer frame is in good condition with minor surface scuffing. The backing paper on the reverse is torn and partially removed, exposing the underlying wooden frame and inscriptions.