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Auction archive: Lot number 475

Rare "Housewife" with Washington, Margaret Sanderson, Maker of "Old Glory" Provenance,

Estimate
n. a.
Price realised:
US$2,760
Auction archive: Lot number 475

Rare "Housewife" with Washington, Margaret Sanderson, Maker of "Old Glory" Provenance,

Estimate
n. a.
Price realised:
US$2,760
Beschreibung:

Traditionally, a "housewife" was a small boxed sewing kit in which a seamstress kept her needles, thread and scissors. This example, meant to be hung from a belt, measures 10" in lenght and is constructed of green silk decorated with bright cut Sheffield steel ornaments. Hanging from silk terminals are the tools of the seamstress, a seal featuring a bust portrait of the Marquise de Lafayette and a folding sewing hook. A pair of scissors, now lost, probably hung on a third suspension. These are flanked by two bells with green silk tassels. The relic is mounted in a polished leather case with a glass viewing window and kick-up stand. Accompanying the housewife is the following documentation: a manuscript note written on a 4.25 x 5.5" lettersheet with embossed borders, in a small envelope addressed to Mr. B(enjamin) Taylor reading Dear Sir -- Enclosed you will receive a treasured relict worn by one of the great men, who have passed away. I do not prize it a great antiquity but worn by one whose many virtues and nobleness of character, will live as long as the name of Washington is dear to his country, and although my young friend, you may not be called to the field of battle to leave to posterity or name, remember that a kind dutiful son with noble traits of character cannot fail to leave to posterity equily (sic) as great a name. From your affectionante friend Caroline Purdy, July 4th, (18)'59. In addition to this sentiment conveying the original gift, the lot also includes an early newspaper clipping, (n.d. but probably 1899 and presumably from Baltimore) with the headline Relic of Old Days Col. Taylor Has a Most Valuable Collection. Some of Them handed Down From the Time of the Father of his Country. The article describes Taylor and his collection, and includes the following discussion about the housewife offered here: Among the oldest and most valuable, perhaps from a historical point of view, is an old-time "housewife," once the property of Mrs. Margaret Sanderson, the noted Maryland Flagmaker. Mrs. Sanderson was the wife of Harry Sanderson of Baltimore who was the Tax Collector for the City of Baltimore for a number of years in the early part of the century. They lived a Pratt and Albermarle Streets. Here is was that she made the beautiful silk flag that floated over the rampants (sic) of old Fort McHenry when the British bombarded it during the War of 1812. The article then relates that the housewife was given to Sanderson by George Washington as a slight token of his appreciation of her love and loyalty to the American cause... and that at her death it came into the hands of her daughter, Mrs. Purdy, who gave it to Colonel Taylor 40 years ago...From this old relic has hung many an historic flag, while the nimble fingers of mistress Sanderson plied her needle to stitch the stars and stripes of Old Glory. The final owner of the housewife, Benjamin F. Taylor (1840-1919) a Union vet, served as Commissioner of Monuments for the state of Maryland, and was instrumental in the building of that state's monuments at Gettysburg. He also served as assistant superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery. An exceptional relic from the early days of the Republic. AUCTIONEER'S NOTE: The flag that flew over Ft. McHenry was made by Mary Pickersgill, and the receipt for its manufacture is housed at the Star Spangled Banner Flag House. Mary Young was born in Philadelphia, moved to Baltimore as a child, moved back to Philly with John Pickersgill after they married, then came back to Baltimore when she was widowed. Caroline Purdy was her daughter. We have been unable to track down Sanderson, however. Did she remarry after her return to Baltimore in 1807? Could Sanderson have been an associate in one of many organizations in which Pickersgill was active? Or was this just a reporting error of a century ago? Condition: Minor wear to silk and very slight oxidation spots on steel, VG+.

Auction archive: Lot number 475
Auction:
Datum:
6 Jun 2008
Auction house:
Cowan's Auctions, Inc.
Este Ave 6270
Cincinnati OH 45232
United States
info@cowans.com
+1 (0)513 8711670
+1 (0)513 8718670
Beschreibung:

Traditionally, a "housewife" was a small boxed sewing kit in which a seamstress kept her needles, thread and scissors. This example, meant to be hung from a belt, measures 10" in lenght and is constructed of green silk decorated with bright cut Sheffield steel ornaments. Hanging from silk terminals are the tools of the seamstress, a seal featuring a bust portrait of the Marquise de Lafayette and a folding sewing hook. A pair of scissors, now lost, probably hung on a third suspension. These are flanked by two bells with green silk tassels. The relic is mounted in a polished leather case with a glass viewing window and kick-up stand. Accompanying the housewife is the following documentation: a manuscript note written on a 4.25 x 5.5" lettersheet with embossed borders, in a small envelope addressed to Mr. B(enjamin) Taylor reading Dear Sir -- Enclosed you will receive a treasured relict worn by one of the great men, who have passed away. I do not prize it a great antiquity but worn by one whose many virtues and nobleness of character, will live as long as the name of Washington is dear to his country, and although my young friend, you may not be called to the field of battle to leave to posterity or name, remember that a kind dutiful son with noble traits of character cannot fail to leave to posterity equily (sic) as great a name. From your affectionante friend Caroline Purdy, July 4th, (18)'59. In addition to this sentiment conveying the original gift, the lot also includes an early newspaper clipping, (n.d. but probably 1899 and presumably from Baltimore) with the headline Relic of Old Days Col. Taylor Has a Most Valuable Collection. Some of Them handed Down From the Time of the Father of his Country. The article describes Taylor and his collection, and includes the following discussion about the housewife offered here: Among the oldest and most valuable, perhaps from a historical point of view, is an old-time "housewife," once the property of Mrs. Margaret Sanderson, the noted Maryland Flagmaker. Mrs. Sanderson was the wife of Harry Sanderson of Baltimore who was the Tax Collector for the City of Baltimore for a number of years in the early part of the century. They lived a Pratt and Albermarle Streets. Here is was that she made the beautiful silk flag that floated over the rampants (sic) of old Fort McHenry when the British bombarded it during the War of 1812. The article then relates that the housewife was given to Sanderson by George Washington as a slight token of his appreciation of her love and loyalty to the American cause... and that at her death it came into the hands of her daughter, Mrs. Purdy, who gave it to Colonel Taylor 40 years ago...From this old relic has hung many an historic flag, while the nimble fingers of mistress Sanderson plied her needle to stitch the stars and stripes of Old Glory. The final owner of the housewife, Benjamin F. Taylor (1840-1919) a Union vet, served as Commissioner of Monuments for the state of Maryland, and was instrumental in the building of that state's monuments at Gettysburg. He also served as assistant superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery. An exceptional relic from the early days of the Republic. AUCTIONEER'S NOTE: The flag that flew over Ft. McHenry was made by Mary Pickersgill, and the receipt for its manufacture is housed at the Star Spangled Banner Flag House. Mary Young was born in Philadelphia, moved to Baltimore as a child, moved back to Philly with John Pickersgill after they married, then came back to Baltimore when she was widowed. Caroline Purdy was her daughter. We have been unable to track down Sanderson, however. Did she remarry after her return to Baltimore in 1807? Could Sanderson have been an associate in one of many organizations in which Pickersgill was active? Or was this just a reporting error of a century ago? Condition: Minor wear to silk and very slight oxidation spots on steel, VG+.

Auction archive: Lot number 475
Auction:
Datum:
6 Jun 2008
Auction house:
Cowan's Auctions, Inc.
Este Ave 6270
Cincinnati OH 45232
United States
info@cowans.com
+1 (0)513 8711670
+1 (0)513 8718670
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