A lovely early needlework sampler worked in silk on linen, featuring alphabets in both upper and lower case, numerals, and charming folk motifs along the lower border. The linen has aged to a warm, honeyed tone that only adds to its appeal. …

A signed and dated sampler is always the more desirable find — and this one, worked by Elizabeth Robinson in 1827, is a lovely example. Multiple alphabet rows in both upper and lower case fill the linen, with additional text below the maker's name …