IMPORTANT HISTORIC PORTLAND, ME CIVIL WAR SOLDIER’S QUILT CA 1864.

Patchwork and applique cotton quilt constructed with 68 blocks, alternating red and blue stars, and having a large central block featuring a patriotic stars and stripes shield. Each block is made by different individuals, and is inscribed in pen and ink with messages in poem and verse, many bearing the signatures of the individual makers. Each block is backed with cotton calico and whip stitched together with white woven tape. This quilt was made in Portland, Maine in the 1860s and was reputedly intended as a gift to Abraham Lincoln. Many of the inscriptions suggest a patriotic and military theme, including messages such as “While our fingers guide the needle, our thoughts are intense (in tents!)”, “Our country right or wrong, when wrong to be put right, when right to be kept right”, ” The greatest glory of a freeborn people is to transmit that freedom to their children”,”Ah yes! Columbia is true, her sons are firm and brave. Let traitors come with fierce ado, we’ll break their columns through and through, a traitors death we’ll give them too, and each a traitors grave.”, and “Abraham Lincoln knows the ropes! All our hopes center about the brave and true. Let us help him all we can”. Makers’ signatures include names from many well-known Maine families, several of whom attended Home Institute. Signatures include Cornelia M. Dow (daughter of Neal Dow, known as the father of Prohibition and Civil War Brigadier General), Hattie Norton, Julia Hammond, Carrie Davis, Helen D. Chapman, Louise Hammond, Mary G. Prince, Jessica Truemann, Mary Springer, Emily P.L. Woodward and Mary Morrill. SIZE: Overall size 81″ x 71″. PROVENANCE: Accompanying this lot a letter from previous owner stating that the quilt “Was purchased in Grosse Pointe, Michigan at the University Liggett Antique Show in 1969 or 1970 by my grandfather Walter Edwin Simmons. Upon his death the quilt was passed on to my father Walter Edwin Simmons II. Upon his death the quilt was passed on to my mother Kathleen Ryan Simmons who subsequently gave it to me in 2010”. This quilt is featured on page 138 in “America’s Quilts and Coverlets” by Carleton L. Stafford and Robert Bishop, published by E.P. Dutton & Co., INC. CONDITION: Overall darkened with stains in some squares, several blue stars showing wear and loss due to decay, but has overall pleasant appearance. Modern sleeve added to reverse for hanging purposes. 9-94801 (8,000-12,000) – Lot 2195

Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - February 2015

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2195	$14,220.00	IMPORTANT HISTORIC PORTLAND, ME CIVIL WAR SOLDIER’S QUILT CA 1864. Patchwork and applique cotton quilt constructed with 68 blocks, alternating red and blue stars, and having a large central block featuring a patriotic stars and stripes shield. Each block is made by different individuals, and is inscribed in pen and ink with messages in poem and verse, many bearing the signatures of the individual makers. Each block is backed with cotton calico and whip stitched together with white woven tape. This quilt was made in Portland, Maine in the 1860s and was reputedly intended as a gift to Abraham Lincoln. Many of the inscriptions suggest a patriotic and military theme, including messages such as “While our fingers guide the needle, our thoughts are intense (in tents!)”, “Our country right or wrong, when wrong to be put right, when right to be kept right”, ” The greatest glory of a freeborn people is to transmit that freedom to their children”,”Ah yes! Columbia is true, her sons are firm and brave. Let traitors come with fierce ado, we’ll break their columns through and through, a traitors death we’ll give them too, and each a traitors grave.”, and “Abraham Lincoln knows the ropes! All our hopes center about the brave and true. Let us help him all we can”. Makers’ signatures include names from many well-known Maine families, several of whom attended Home Institute. Signatures include Cornelia M. Dow (daughter of Neal Dow, known as the father of Prohibition and Civil War Brigadier General), Hattie Norton, Julia Hammond, Carrie Davis, Helen D. Chapman, Louise Hammond, Mary G. Prince, Jessica Truemann, Mary Springer, Emily P.L. Woodward and Mary Morrill. SIZE: Overall size 81″ x 71″. PROVENANCE: Accompanying this lot a letter from previous owner stating that the quilt “Was purchased in Grosse Pointe, Michigan at the University Liggett Antique Show in 1969 or 1970 by my grandfather Walter Edwin Simmons. Upon his death the quilt was passed on to my father Walter Edwin Simmons II. Upon his death the quilt was passed on to my mother Kathleen Ryan Simmons who subsequently gave it to me in 2010”. This quilt is featured on page 138 in “America’s Quilts and Coverlets” by Carleton L. Stafford and Robert Bishop, published by E.P. Dutton & Co., INC. CONDITION: Overall darkened with stains in some squares, several blue stars showing wear and loss due to decay, but has overall pleasant appearance. Modern sleeve added to reverse for hanging purposes. 9-94801 (8,000-12,000) – Lot 2195 Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - February 2015 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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IMPORTANT HISTORIC PORTLAND, ME CIVIL WAR SOLDIER’S QUILT CA 1864.