LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 NOV Political & Americana Mem. #672  / 

25209

Deshler-Morris-Pennock-Wistar Antique Textiles

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:150.00 USD Estimated At:300.00 - 400.00 USD
Deshler-Morris-Pennock-Wistar Antique Textiles
<B>Textile Collection of Antique Dress Fragments from the Deshler-Morris-Pennock-Wistar Family, <BR></B></I> including framed fragments worn by Martha Washington and Queen Marie Antoinette. The family that preserved theses textiles owned the Deshler-Morris House, the oldest official presidential residence, the Germantown White House. They twice hosted George Washington. In October 1793, he found refuge during the yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia. Continuing the business of government, he held four cabinet meetings here. The next summer, it was a welcome retreat for him and his family near Philadelphia, the Federal Capital. <BR><BR>The piece of fabric worn by Martha Washington is 4” x 1.75” (11.5” x 15.5” overall framed). Mounted on a card inscribed, “<I>Worn by Martha Washington at a Birth-Night Ball in Phila and Alexandria.</B></I>” The Birthnight Ball originated in Britain to commemorate and celebrate the birthday of the monarch each year. Following the Patriot victory in the Revolution, Americans continued this tradition turning to the next closest figure, President George Washington.<BR><BR>A small silk embroidered flower, 1.5” is mounted on a slip of paper inscribed “<I>Piece of dress worn by Queen Marie Antoinette.</B></I>” The fabric is framed with a color picture of the queen (12.5” x 18” overall) and sold with a letter dated 1830.<BR><BR>There is also a small portfolio filled with envelopes containing pieces of fabric, threads, and silks. Included is brown silk brocade in an envelope labeled “<I>Piece of Grandmother Morris’s drop</B></I>” <BR>ebecca Wistar Morris, 1735-1791 ; pink grosgrain silk “<I>A piece of Catherine Deshler’s Wedding gown in April 1775. The silk was raised near Lancaster </B></I> Pennsylvania <I>& sent to England to be woven</B></I>”; “<I>A piece of lace from the Alter cloth Jerusalem</B></I>”; “<I>Silk reeled by Caroline Morris in the year 1825 or very near it - The silk to be preserved for her daughter. Sarah Wistar Pennock</B></I>”. <BR><BR>There is also a small envelope inscribed “<I>Lion’s Mane</B></I>” filled with course yellow hair and a broadside from Raymond & Waring’s Philadelphia Zoological Institute also inscribed “<I>Lion’s Mane</B></I>” with the date 1846. A fine collection of early and historic textiles. Sold with a signed letters giving the provenance of the collection. All near fine or better.<BR><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Framed - with Glass, Medium (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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