Three (3) Schoolgirl Needlework Samplers, English and Continental, all signed. 1st item: Ann Clark's sampler, 1835, silk on linen. Entirely cross stitched. Wave border over five horizonal bands, the upper band with bird and flowering tree/plant motifs, over a band with verse: "May Modesty and Virtue guide my heart from vanity and pride/ This is my work where you may see what care my parents took for me." Third row with brick house motif flanked by bird, tree and architectural motifs, over a signature block reading "Ann Clark / Ruskington / Aged 10 years 1835" surrounded by bird, squirrel and plant motifs. Bottom band features a row of single flowers. 12 1/2" square sight, 14 1/2" x 14 1/2" in wood frame, under glass. Note taped en verso from Mrs. R.H. Walker, dated 1940, explains the sampler was brought by her mother on her wedding journey to America in 1851. English. 2nd item: Mary Salmons sampler, 1806, silk on linen; floral border enclosing a row of crowns over three rows with single alphabet and numerals, over text "Fear God and Keep His Commandments / Mary Salmons work made in the tenth year of her age 1806/ Tell me ye knowing and discerning few: Where I may find a Friend both firm and true / Who dares stand by me when in deep Distress And then his Love and Friendship not express." Below the verse is a row of pictorial motifs including birds, flowers, reindeer, trees and double hearts, over a geometric band. Stitches include cross, queen, eyelet, cross over one, rice and hem stitches. 13 1/2" x 13 1/4" sight, 14 1/2" x 14" in narrow wood frame, under glass. Likely English. 3rd item: J. Wibel sampler, silk and wool on linen; ruffled silk border enclosing a floral and geometric border (different on each side), with single alphabet, central stitched vignette of a woman and children feeding a bird in a landscape setting, flanked by pictorial snowflake, quatrefoil, cross with lilies, and wreath. Signed in cross stitch: "Worked by J (or T) Wibel in 1854." 17 1/2" x 22" sight, 20 1/2" x 25" in ogee wood frame with gilt rabbet edge, under glass. Possibly Continental. Provenance: The Estate of Celia (Cece) Webb, Nashville, TN. (Additional high-resolution photos are available at www.caseantiques.com.)

Clark sampler: 3/4" area of ground loss on word "Ruskington". 1/2" stain to verse on word "and". Otherwise very good condition. Salmons sampler: Fair condition with multiple holes in linen, up to 3/4" wide; fading and discoloration. Wibel sampler: large area of dark staining upper right corner 4" x 5"; area of staining about 3" W lower center. Some thread loss to signature line. None of the samplers have been examined out of frame.