Revised: 1/27/2015

Please note – The correct description is as follows: . IMPORTANT PORTLAND, MAINE SCHOOLGIRL NEEDLEWORK SAMPLER BY MARTHA K. HARDING, 1819. Finely worked on a linen background, primarily in chain-stitch, cross-stitch and satin-stitch. The central poem reads “Of female arts in usefulness, the needle far exceeds the rest. In ornament there’s no device, affords no adorning half so nice.” The bottom of the sampler includes a motif depicting two buildings (possibly the Rachel Hall Neal School and possibly the Harding House) and a border of roses surrounding the entire work. Seven alpha-numeric rows having at the top “Martha K. Harding Oct. 23, 1819″. Housed in a gilt frame. Probably Martha K. Harding, b Oct. 7, 1809 in Gorham, Maine, daughter of Elkannah & Hannah Harding. PROVENANCE: From a fine Portland, Maine home. SIZE: 19-1/2″ x 16-3/4″. Overall: is 28″ x 24-1/2”. CONDITION: Overall very good. Slightly toned linen, several small holes along edges. 9-94786 AL (6,000-8,000).

SCHOOLGIRL’S NEEDLEWORK SAMPLER.

Massachusetts, circa 1825. This schoolgirls sampler was wrought by Martha Harding (1818 – 1841), a student at New Salem Academy from 1822-1829. Finely worked with cotton thread on a linen background, primarily in chain-stitch, cross-stitch and satin-stitch. The central poem reads “Of female arts in usefulness, the needle far exceeds the rest. In ornament there’s no device, affords no adorning half so nice.” The bottom of the sampler includes a motif depicting two buildings (possibly New Salem Academy) and a border of roses surrounding the entire work. Martha’s father, Alpheus Harding, was pastor of the New Salem Congregational Church and preceptor of his daughters school. He also belonged to the King Hiram Royal Arch Chapter Masonic Lodge, where Martha’s artistic abilities were evidenced by several illustrations she created in the King Hiram Chapter mark book. (Permanent collection of the Van Gorden-Williams Library & Archives at the National Heritage Museum). Housed in a gilt frame. SIZE: 19-1/” x 17″. Overall: is 24-1/2″ x 28″. CONDITION: Overall very good. Slightly toned linen, several small holes along edges. 9-94786 (6,000-8,000) – Lot 2087

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
	2087	$0.00	Revised: 1/27/2015 Please note – The correct description is as follows: . IMPORTANT PORTLAND, MAINE SCHOOLGIRL NEEDLEWORK SAMPLER BY MARTHA K. HARDING, 1819. Finely worked on a linen background, primarily in chain-stitch, cross-stitch and satin-stitch. The central poem reads “Of female arts in usefulness, the needle far exceeds the rest. In ornament there’s no device, affords no adorning half so nice.” The bottom of the sampler includes a motif depicting two buildings (possibly the Rachel Hall Neal School and possibly the Harding House) and a border of roses surrounding the entire work. Seven alpha-numeric rows having at the top “Martha K. Harding Oct. 23, 1819″. Housed in a gilt frame. Probably Martha K. Harding, b Oct. 7, 1809 in Gorham, Maine, daughter of Elkannah & Hannah Harding. PROVENANCE: From a fine Portland, Maine home. SIZE: 19-1/2″ x 16-3/4″. Overall: is 28″ x 24-1/2”. CONDITION: Overall very good. Slightly toned linen, several small holes along edges. 9-94786 AL (6,000-8,000). SCHOOLGIRL’S NEEDLEWORK SAMPLER. Massachusetts, circa 1825. This schoolgirls sampler was wrought by Martha Harding (1818 – 1841), a student at New Salem Academy from 1822-1829. Finely worked with cotton thread on a linen background, primarily in chain-stitch, cross-stitch and satin-stitch. The central poem reads “Of female arts in usefulness, the needle far exceeds the rest. In ornament there’s no device, affords no adorning half so nice.” The bottom of the sampler includes a motif depicting two buildings (possibly New Salem Academy) and a border of roses surrounding the entire work. Martha’s father, Alpheus Harding, was pastor of the New Salem Congregational Church and preceptor of his daughters school. He also belonged to the King Hiram Royal Arch Chapter Masonic Lodge, where Martha’s artistic abilities were evidenced by several illustrations she created in the King Hiram Chapter mark book. (Permanent collection of the Van Gorden-Williams Library & Archives at the National Heritage Museum). Housed in a gilt frame. SIZE: 19-1/” x 17″. Overall: is 24-1/2″ x 28″. CONDITION: Overall very good. Slightly toned linen, several small holes along edges. 9-94786 (6,000-8,000) – Lot 2087 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.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}

SCHOOLGIRL’S NEEDLEWORK SAMPLER.