Monday, July 19, 2010

Look What I Bought!

A friend and I went to a large antique show last weekend, something neither of us had done for a very long time. Being so out of practice, we were both experiencing sensory overload and s l o w l y making our way through the outdoor booths.

A large bakers rack with assorted linens caught my eye, because it held a few cutter quilts. I quickly decided that they weren't for me and was about to step away, when I saw the corner of *something* peeking out from the bottom of a stack.

Garishly bright, stitched with wool in 1869, but a truly old sampler nontheless.

On the $10 shelf.

An 140 year old hand-stitched sampler? Sure, it isn't in my preferred color scheme, its small, a little rough, and not of the high quality caliber most collectors look for. But surely, they couldn't REALLY mean to sell it for a measly ten!

So, I headed over to the guy taking money and said,
"This was on the ten dollar rack?"

"Oh!" he said, "It doesn't belong on the ten dollar rack!" Grabbing it from me and heading back over to the linens.

Sure that he was going to put a much higher price on it, I was thinking that I would be walking out of there without it after all.

But then, my chin nearly hit the ground when he flippantly tossed it onto a shelf and said, "it should be on the one dollar rack".

Yes, my friends, I paid ONE DOLLAR for this:


The next few weeks will be very busy around here (have I told you yet that we are hosting my baby sister's wedding?), but once the air clears, I fully intend to share my little windfall by charting it and giving it to you for free. Stay tuned...

17 comments:

Patti said...

Congratulations on such a treasure and at such a deal!!!! My chin hit the ground as I read it lol!

Blessings, Patti

Anonymous said...

oh Beth
The stars were with you that day!
What a deal and such a treasure and for you to share it with us!!! I look forward to it, and thank you from my heart in advance
Have a good one Hope the wedding is beautiful
Darlene

Marie said...

That's amazing, Beth! The colors are still so bright that I can hardly believe it is that old! Is it really possible?!!
And to think you got it for only ONE DOLLAR!!

Alice said...

Wow, what a cool find!! It was meant for you clearly. Real pretty. ; )
Alice

Dora said...

What a terrific find! It was waiting for you. Looks like it is German, perhaps. I can see this stitched with completely different colors; some soft, muted & earthy tones.

Dora said...

What a terrific find! It was waiting for you. Looks like it is German, perhaps. I can see this stitched with completely different colors; some soft, muted & earthy tones.

Cynimin said...

Wow what a great find! It's a good thing you didn't offer him $9.00 before he said anything, LOL Someday 100's of years from now people will be doing the same with our creations I bet!

Sherry said...

What a great find for such a pleasant price!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your wonderful sampler. You certainly did get a deal. Thank you for sharing the pictures with all of us.

angel parker said...

I love antiques and I love antique needlework. When I visit historical sites, I always check the walls for needlework. What a wonderful find for you. I am jealous!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

Great find! I found a similar type sampler not too long ago at an estate sale for $4. Not in my colors either but I couldn't leave it there. Yours is WAY prettier than mine. Congratulations!

Sheila said...

WOW, That's a terrific find.

CATHI said...

Really a great find! And it is German - Jahr means year and the name is also a German one... Congratulations!

Cathi

Moonpie primitives said...

Hi Beth:
wow what a find...Even though I wouldn't have picked those colors either...I absolutely love it....
Enjoy your new treat, Nancy

Anonymous said...

Great! What luck for you !
Yes, it is German.
Im Jahr 1869 = In the Year 1869.
Anna von Bergen - In former times you only can have "von" in your name when you were of noble birth.

In the 18th century and in the first half of the 19th century, you had wonderful colors and very good yarn to stitch. Then, with more industrie, all became bad in color.
I was in Stickmustermuseum Celle, where you can see the hard break in stitching homework. Every room in the museum is different time, but when you see the last 130 Years you are so sad because of all what was lost in needlework.

But, in spite of the colors, it is great that you found this, and I think Anna would be very happy that YOU got her work.

Your every-day-visitor from Germany
Anja

Melissa said...

What a great find! I happen to love the overly bright colors. I like to think the stitcher might have been stitching this bright sampler in the darkest days of winter.

Teri said...

Yeah for you! Very cool find!