- This early crewel embroidered man's pocketbook is quite rare. From my research, I only found 6 examples on the market in the last 20 years. More common are the flamestitch wallets from the same period.
- Crewel embroidery was popular in the mid 18th C. This example has swirling stems and flowers in red and green with a big carnation centered on each side. The embroidery is hand spun hand dyed wool on a linen background.
- The inside is green linsey woolsey fabric. The edges are bound in red twill tape on the outside edges and a red linsey woolsey fabric on the inside pocket edges.
- Inside the pocketbook are several small objects as well as the papers. There is a 2" square red linsey woolsey "coin purse", hand sewn. Inside that is a locket of hair in paper with the name Marriam's hair and on the inside Leona Cofrin and a tiny photo, also a tiny 3" quilt. There is also a tintype photo included.
- The papers are mortgages and deeds properties in Berlin VT. Family names mentioned are Ellis, Coffrin and Gleason.
- Measures 8" x 4 1/2" folded and 8" x 9" open.
- Nice condition. Some fading to the outside, some moth damage to the inside lining. Some wear and thread loss on the outside, see pics.
- Inventory #TX 275
C1740s Crewel Men's Pocketbook
$2,650.00Price