This is one of the most unusual alphabets I've seen on a sampler. This sampler has preoccupied me for months. It's probably German, dated 1704. I wish I had seen the alphabets on this sampler before publishing "More Alphabets from Early Samplers". In fact there are so many unique motifs on this particular sampler that I can't find precedents in the early German pattern books. This is very exciting!
The second set of photos show an antique sampler that I acquired recently at auction. It was described as being from Ireland, but the illuminated letters and other quirks look Scottish. The basket and verse look more Balch School. We might be on to a new thread here and I welcome your input.
Over and out,
love to all,
Marsha
