1822 Pluma H. Ralph Much Aged But Very Tender Alphabet Sampler totem shaped letter opener with some scratching and staining

with some scratching and staining to the slate

5 1/4" across with arms outstretched

parenthetically described as chimney sweeps--with the hand-written quote on the back of the paper making one wonder whether the drawing portrays friends or lovers lost

One would guess this is meant to be Taylor himself

which is I believe the signature of Shaker brushes

1822 Pluma H. Ralph Much Aged But Very Tender Alphabet Sampler totem shaped letter opener with some scratching and stainingAs you probably probably know by now, my inclinations lean toward rescuing and retrieving things that might not otherwise be readily appreciated, as might be said for this sampler, of a Pluma H. Ralph, dated March 22, 1822, just about exactly 200 year ago. It was in part the year of its making that felt significant to me, as if calling across time to be re considered at this moment, and also her name, calling to mind peacocks and plums, which also