Collector's Sampler Passion Comes To Auction, Benefits Children's Hospital Extensive Sampler Collections To Hit The Block During Garth's Auctions 48th Annual Thanksgiving Weekend Auction
News-Antique.com - Nov 17,2008 - Collector's Sampler Passion Comes to Auction, Benefits Children's Hospital
For Immediate Release
From: Garth’s Auctions
An impressive selection of samplers from the collection of Mrs. Barbara Randau Detroit, Michigan, will cross the "block" as a part of Garth's 48th annual Thanksgiving weekend auction on November 28. Mrs. Randau’s fondness in needlework began in the early 1970’s; first with English samplers but she soon turned her attention to American examples. She focused on pieces from the late 18th century to the 1830’s.
“This was a prime time for American schoolgirl needlework,” exuded Mrs. Randau. “I was always interested in knowing about the girls that wrought these pieces. It was amazing to me that such fine work was done by such young ladies.” American samplers were often made by schoolgirls between the ages of 6 and 14, who attended one of the many boarding schools in existence in the early 19th Century. Needlework was offered as part of their education, and was considered necessary for a well-bred young woman. The samplers produced in these schools can sometimes be identified by the designs favored by a particular teacher, regional styles, and / or ethnic influences.
"Barbara's passion is evident in her meticulous documentation of each sampler, assembled after years of extensive research," stated Amelia Jeffers, Vice President of Garth's. "She handed it to us, in book form, when we picked up the collection. It is a wonderful compilation. Collectors like the Randaus are invigorating. Their excitement for the history and materials is infectious."
Mrs. Randau's emotional connection to the girls whose work she has admired gave way to a donation of a portion of the proceeds from her collection to the Children’s Hospital of Michigan, for use in enhancing their Child Life Department- arts and crafts area. "One cannot imagine the patience and discipline it took for these school girls to complete some of the elaborate stitching we see," continues Mrs. Randau. "In remembrance, we are happy to fund art materials for hospitalized children.”
Collectors won't have to wait long for an opportunity to bid when lot number one, a portrait of Nancy Nolen and her sampler open the auction. The unsigned oil on canvas, is a wonderful, half-length, seated portrait of a young woman wearing a lace-trimmed, striped dress and holding a book bearing the initials "N.N.” measuring 27"h. 23"w., the painting appears to be in its original, black-painted frame, 30"h. 25 1/2"w. Sold with the marking sampler made when she was 12 years old, probably around 1818 in Massachusetts, wrought in silk on linen. Conservation mounted and reframed in old, if not original, frame. 12"h. 10"w. 13"h. 11"w. framed. Nancy Nolen was born in either Roxbury, Massachusetts or Thompson, Connecticut, in 1806, the daughter of George Nolen (1767-1840) and Esther Langley Nolen (1772-1846). Census records and family histories most often list her birthplace as Massachusetts. Her parents were born and married in Roxbury. In 1834, at the age of 28, Nancy married James Verry (1814-1867) of Mendon, Massachusetts. The newly wed
