Rare Needlework Sampler, Dorothy Yalding (b. 1806), probably Jaffrey, New Hampshire, Dated 1826

Worked with silk, twisted silk threads and crinkled silk floss on sheer linen in satin, outline, fly, bullion, running and cross-stitches with French knots. Inscribed: Family Record/James Yalding was born Mar 1st/1777. Hannah Parker was born Jan/19th 1777. They were married Oct 1st 1800./Perthenia F. Yalding was born Aug 25th 1801/Louisa ann Yalding was born July 18th 1804./Dolly Yalding was born Dec 9th 1806./Emily Yalding was born Dec 17th 1811/Hannah Yalding was born June 17th 1813 and died/Sept 30th 1813 Jonathan F Yalding was born June/16th 1814 Lorra Yalding was born Nov 15th 1816/and died Sept 28th 1818 Lorra Yalding was/born April 7th 1819 and died March 19th 1821/Hannah wife of James Yalding/died Dec 29th 1824 AE 48. Wrought by Dolly Yalding 1826. 16 3/4  by 14 1/2  inches. (80 threads to the inch).

Sheila & Edwin Rideout, Wiscasset, Maine, September, 1986

Somewhat darkened and with some minor fading. Original frame and glass.
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.

Exhibited and Literature: LACMA, p. 82, fig. 33

Dolly Yalding was twenty years old when she inscribed the required names and dates inside the elliptically shaped enclosure of her genealogical sampler. Not often seen in family record embroideries, the oval format designed by Dolly's creative schoolmistress is effectively anchored by the green meadow embellished with sprightly flowers and grazing sheep. Dolly's sampler bears an unmistakable, though imperfect, resemblance to the samplers worked by Mary Richards in 1825 (fig. 32) and Sarah Blanchard in 1829.¹ The border surrounding Dolly's sampler is adorned with the same flower motifs used by Sarah Blanchard in Jaffrey. Dolly Yalding also may have attended an academy for young women in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. Clearly illustrated here is the custom of "carrying over" threads from word to word in the inscription. The sheer background of this sampler allows these black threads to be seen from the front, although this stitching technique is prevalent on most sampler work. The knotting of silk from letter to letter would not have been tolerated by the frugal schoolmistress. Such an extravagance would consume endless amounts of precious silk thread. Dolly Yalding was born in Concord, New Hampshire, to James Yalding, an innkeeper from South Carolina, and Hannah Parker.² 

 

1. The Blanchard sampler is in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, P A; see Hornor, Story of Samplers, 41. 

2. Concord Town Records, 1732-1820 (Concord, NH: The Republican Press Association, 1894), 537.