Rare and Important Schoolhouse and Railroad Quilt, York, Pennsylvania Dated 1891

Composed of printed and solid cotton patches sewn with chain and straight stitches; the field with flower, heart, leaf, concentric shell and pinwheel quilting.  Some minor stain on extreme left and right border. Mounted on a stretcher. 

Jan Whitlock Textiles, Malvern, Pennsylvania;
Alexander Gallery, New York;
America Hurrah, New York.

Illustrated in Folk Art in American Life, Bishop and Atkins, fig 176, p. 130 and Young America, A Folk Art History, Lipman, Warren, and Bishop, fig 4.20, p. 76.

some stain on extreme left side, "lamp post" stitched, look out (ink) Union Depot (stitch).
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

"The Schoolhouse pattern is one of the most familiar in American quilts; Here it has been magically used to create a whole town, said to be York, Pennsylvania. The moon and the stars look down on almost sixty structures, including two churches with graveyards, and buildings labeled "Coal," "Barn," and "Union Depot." The special touch is the railroad complete with telegraph poles. This is an entrancing example of American folk art."

Cyril Nelson
Quilt Engagement Calendar, E.P. Dutton, Inc., New York, August 1984, plate 36