Exceptional Antique Patriotic 1876 Quilt w/ Images of George & Martha Washington

Broken Star pattern, patriotic American quilt with 13 stars, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, circa 1915-1920 Broken Star pattern quilt in red, white, and blue solids with a gingha...

Winterberry pattern quilt with flying geese, in patriotic colors and with exceptional graphic impact, entirely hand-pieced and hand-quilted, circa 1860s-1870s Made approximately b...

Red and blue princess feather pattern quilt with interspersed oak leaves and a sawtooth border. Made circa 1870-1885, this stunningly visual textile is highly unusual due to its dark blue ground and red elements. Most all early quilts...

PATRIOTIC SILK KERCHIEF OF THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD, WITH AN ENGRAVED IMAGE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, CROSSED 34 STAR FLAGS, AN EAGLE, AND "UNION FOREVER" SLOGAN: Patriotic kerchiefs that date prior to the 1876 Centennial of American Independence are rare among surviving 19th century textiles. Printed on silk and made during the opening years of the Civil War, this example consists of a white ground with red and blue borders. Inside is a prominent, copper engraved, device that consists of a large image of George Washington, crowned by a spread winged eagle that grasps a billowing streamer in its beak and talons. The ribbon boasts the Federal sentiment "Union Forever." The likeness of Washington is derived from Gilbert Stuart's Athenaeum portrait. Below this is a facsimile of Washington's signature, cradled by crossed American flags, each with 34 stars arranged in circular medallions. Although political textile historian Herbert Ridgway Collins associated this kerchief with the centennial of American independence,* there is overwhelming evidence that it was produced earlier. The large scale is much more indicative of kerchiefs produced in the 1860's and prior. Made of silk, the binding is hand-stitched, which is also common of those produced before 1876. When these facts are added to the pro-Union Civil War slogan and flags in the 34 star count, the combination of all these factors points firmly to Civil War period manufacture. Kansas was admitted into the Union as the 34th state on January 29th, 1861, about two-and-a-half months before the Confederate assault on Fort Sumter that marked the beginning of the Civil War. The 34th star was officially added on July 4th of that year and the star count remained official until July 4th, 1863. Further evidence can be found in an example of this kerchief that resides in the collection of the Adams County, Pennsylvania Historical Society, with firm provenance to a woman by the name of Emma Yount. The story goes like this: “With the Battle of Gettysburg looming and the countryside in turmoil, the Union cavalry rode into Gettysburg on the afternoon of June 30, 1863. The troopers dismounted and lounged in the town while awaiting further orders. During that time, the seven year old daughter of innkeeper Israel Yount, Emma, was playing outside their home when a cavalryman asked her to come and visit with him while he was resting. The cavalryman told her that he missed his young daughter at home and asked if little Emma would hug and kiss him on the cheek to remind him of his daughter, who he felt he might not ever see again. Emma asked her mother if she could do as the cavalryman suggested, and her mother considered the circumstances and allowed Emma to do so. Before leaving, the cavalryman gave young Emma a silk handkerchief he was carrying that featured George Washington's image and patriotic border and flags. Emma kept that handkerchief until her death in 1946 and it was then donated to the Adams County Historical Society.” The trio of brass rings, hand-sewn along the top edge, would have been added by a former owner so that it could be hung vertically. The textile itself is both beautiful in design and rare. Outside of an example pictured by Collins in his book “Threads of History” (Smithsonian Press, 1979), and the copy in the Adams County Historical Society, only three others like it are known to have surfaced, including this example. This condition is excellent for the period and it survives as an exceptional relic of the War Between the States. It is of interest to note that kerchief bears marked similarities to another, especially rare, pro-Union variety, that was produced in London for the American market. Notably larger in scale, but very much alike in terms of the fabric, the printing, the shades of red and blue, the verbiage, and the general overall graphic feel, it was produced by Foster & Porter, a known, English maker of printed kerchiefs. Instead of featuring George Washington, the imagery centers on a large cannon...

Loom-woven horse blanket, made circa 1890-1910. The striped and geometric pattern consists of lime green, sunfire red, and ivory, against winter/summer, reversible grounds of forest ...

OUTSTANDING CIGAR SILK PIECEWORKTABLE COVER WITH UNUSUALLY LONG RIBBON FRINGE AND GREAT GRAPHICS, 1880-1910: Silk bands like these were used to wrap bunc...

Long before the hazards of smoking became known, tobacco companies offered premiums included with the purchase of cigars and cigarettes. They were often flannel panels with the flags...

This finely quilted and pieced broken star quilt is in fine condition. It’s most unusual with the pink trailing color. Really works well with the red...

Although we think of the year 1776 as the time of the birth of the United States, it was actually not until 1777 that the Articles of Confederation were adopted by the Continental Co...

Nothing could be more of the moment than this patriotic flag quilt depicting Old Glory. It was most likely made either for the admission of Arizona into st...

This wonderful and graphic red, white and blue patriotic quilt is in pristine condition. It was recently laundered and has very fine piecework and quilting.

This fun patriotic red, white and blue quilt is in very good with slit fade condition in areas. It had a paper label with a signature and dated 1986. Late b...