dated 1820 sampler with alphabets and satin stitch floral embroidery

Dated 1820 American schoolgirl sampler, combining counted thread cross stitch alphabets with satin stitch embroidery. Silk thread on medium brown linen ground fabric. Alphabets in varying styles and sizes combined with narrow borders of Eyelet and Smyrna Cross stitches, with a lovely satin stitch floral spray at the lower corner and that pretty blue green shade often used during the early 1800s. 8-1/4″ wide by 17-1/2″ long.

The fabric is in excellent condition and the silk thread has retained its color nicely but the corrosive dye used for the dark brown silk has caused it to deteriorate, especially in the lower part of the sampler. The dark brown satin stitch triangles along the sides also have thread loss.The stitching in the alphabets are intact but much of the inscription is unreadable: “Farm-l-a – We———- born July —– 1807.” Handstitched hems along both sides and the original woven selvedge at top and bottom, a few stains at the top edge from old glue used in mounting. No holes or weakness in the fabric.