1800-Dated with Maker’s Name, Rare Hand-Stitched, DEATH OF GEORGE WASHINGTON Memorial Sampler

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Early American History Auctions - December 20...

By Early American History Auctions

Dec 20, 2025

Set Reminder 2025-12-20 12:00:00 2025-12-20 12:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Early American History Auctions - December 20, 2025 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/early-american-history-auctions/early-american-history-auctions---december-20-2025-21473
199 Lots of Rare, Historic Autographs, Americana, Civil War Era, George Washington, Revolutionary War Era, Colonial America, Federal Period, War of 1812, Historic Maps & more. Early American History Auctions auctions@earlyamerican.com

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• Lot Description
  Washington Related
  "1800" George Washington "Memorial" American Sampler & Tribute Poem Among the Earliest Known After His Death
  1800-Dated Federal Period, DEATH OF GEORGE WASHINGTON American Decorative Memorial Sampler Textile with an important tribute to Washington in Poem Form, one of the Earliest Known Handmade soon after Washington's Death December 14th, 1799 at Mount Vernon, Hand-sewn by named maker "Rosina Meeser" Framed, Fine.
  An important American Made Hand-Stitched Textile Memorial Sampler that is among the earliest known in tribute to Revolutionary War Commanding General and First United States President George Washington, created shortly after his death. This historical Sampler was made by Rosina Meeser, and it has her sewn date of creation at bottom reading "1800". It measures about 23" tall x 18" wide, produced using multicolored threads including; Green, White, Silver, Golden, Olive, and deep black, all being hand sewn to off-white cotton linen.
  An additional outer border surround has threads showing that it is attached to a backing for display, some portions of the fabric surround have peeled, yet the original inner design remains complete. It is likely attached to its original wooden backing board. This Sampler is displayed in a simple wooden frame that measures 25.5" tall x 20.5" wide. The frames gold gilt paint is likely later. It has seen use and wear with scattered nicks and chipping. There is some light overall fading, having expected age tone and there is some dye color bleed spread at the lower portion from the colored thread, heaviest in the bottom two lines of the poem as shown. However, conservation is recommended to restore the fabric's color and eye appeal as the primary important historical sewn text still remains intact, very clear and readable.
  George Washington died on December 14th, 1799 at his beloved home of Mount Vernon. This authentic period Sampler was completed by Meeser, and is dated "1800" in its hand-sewn text in small numbers next to the maker's name at bottom located at center, just above and fitted within the border design reading: "Rosina - 1800 - Meeser". Her name and the date were created using very light golden thread which blends against the underlying tan cloth and backing, making it more difficult to read. However, it should be worthy of conservation to improve and is absolutely original to this Sampler and provides the critical information as to the name of it's maker and date. This "1800" dated George Washington Memorial Sampler is decorative in design with floral patterns for outer borders. The alphabet is displayed at the top portion shown in both upper and lower case. Additional decorative devices are used as separators. This original Poem in Tribute to Washington reads, in full:
  "And is it so, Is WASHINGTON no more,
  Fame blow a blast to startle every shore,
  Let every shore the solemn note rebound,
  Till universal nature catch the sound__
  The awful sound to announce that stroke of Fate,
  The death of all that's glorious, good and great,
  Of all that kindred angels stoop'd to scan,
  The brightest wonder of that wonder man,
  And could not goodness, could not greatness save,
  Nor human glory rescue from the grave,
  Could not a nation's sighs, a nation,s prayers,
  Procure for ONE a ceasless round of years,
  Could not a mail of virtue guard his heart,
  And turn aside the ruthless conqueror's dart,
  Could not that arm, which Independence won,
  That eye, all piercing as its fire, the sun,
  That GodliKe mein, that sword, that nodding plume,
  Unnerve the tyrant, stay the warrior's doom,
  But must the hero with the beggar fall,
  And is the silent tomb the lot of all."
  Below the Poem, it in light silver thread is the maker's name and date reading:
  "Rosina - 1800 - Meeser".
  Its overall condition is somewhat superior to many other examples of Samplers from this time period. This "1800" dated American made, George Washington Memorial Sampler by Rosina Meeser is certainly collectible for display being an important being among the earliest known to have been made after Washington's death.
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