Sampler

Maker Catherine Gracey

Periodca. 1820 - 1825

MediumPlied silk thread on brown linen

Dimensions9 × 14 in. (22.9 × 35.6 cm)

SignedThe sampler is signed "Catharine Gracey August 26 18--."

ClassificationsNeedlework

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Julia Hartshorne Trask, 1946

Object number2084.28

DescriptionA rectangular sampler of open weave rough brown linen, worked in plied silk thread in dark green, pale grass green, pale mint green, turquoise blue, sky blue, pale cerise, medium brown, golden tan, and off white. All embroidery is done in cross stitch only. Six rows of alphabets are worked on the majority of the linen. On the first two rows runs a half-inch upper case alphabet in double letter format, from AA to LL, MM to WW on the second line, and XX to ZZ on the third line. Immediately following is a numeral run, from 1 through 17. On the fourth line is worked a half-inch lower case alphabet, from a to z, with a final ampersand spacer. On the fifth and sixth lines runs a three-quarter inch upper case italic alphabet, from A to O and then P to Z, with a second upper case letter "A" as a final spacer element. A variety of cross stitch bands separate each alphabet row, including a striking blue and white scallop repeat band. Below the final alphabet run is worked a large stylized scroll band. The inscription line "Catharine Gracey August 26 18-- 2345" runs along the bottom of the sampler panel. A tiny open diamond motif separates the maker's last name from the month, while a small letter "x" separates "26" from the year. Three miniscule dots serve as a final spacer between the year and the last run of numerals. A second stylized wave scroll band appears below the inscription line. A narrow single cross stitch line forms a border along all four edges of the linen panel.
Curatorial RemarksCatharine Gracey was most likely between nine and eleven years old when she completed her rectangular marking sampler. She originally included the year the sampler was finished, but later unpicked the last two digits of the year, revealing a bit of modest vanity. It was not entirely uncommon for sampler makers to return to their needlework decades later and remove date information in an effort to hide their true age. The Association has several samplers which exhibit this type of alteration (see the sampler made by Caroline Tiel Durell, accession number 1975. 544).NotesThe girl who worked this simple sampler may be Catherine Gracey of Philadelphia. She was born on 18 April 1811, the youngest of nine children of William Gracey (1760 - 1830) and Agnes Craig (1769 - 1835), both natives of Scotland. Catherine remained single, lived at the end of her life at 1501 Fairmount Avenue in Philadelphia, and died on 26 October 1892 at the age of eighty-one. Her remains were interred in a family plot at West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.

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