Whitework Cotton Centennial Quilt

Description:

Whitework Cotton Centennial Quilt, Mina M. Braley, Albion, New York, c. 1876, the all-white corded, stuffed, and quilted bedcover is centered with a floral spray enclosed by a banner with corded lettering reading "Thirteen Colonies in 1776" and "In 1876 38 States" with a spreadwing eagle above and grapevines within the banner, the central motif surrounded by patriotic motifs, and sentiments and events with dates stitched in corded lettering including "Peace Shall be in all Thy Borders", "E Pluribus Unum", "Boston Tea Party Dec. 16, 1773", "Bunker Hill Battle June 17, 1775", "Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776", "Constitution of the USA Sept. 17 1787", "The Stars Placed on the Flag June 19 1777", "First Continental Congress Sept. 5, 1774", "Lexington Battle April 19, 1775", and "Cessation of Hostilities April 19, 1788", with diagonal line quilt stitches in the background, backed in white woven cotton fabric, signed in double rows of stitching in lower left and right corners "Mina M Braley Albion N.Y.", 92 x 80 in.

Provenance: Almina "Mina" Braley, the maker of the quilt, was the fifth of eight children born to Moses and Martha Miller at Berne, Albany County, New York, on August 12, 1842. She attended school at the Albion Academy and later taught school for a time in Orleans and Monroe County. She married Byron B. Braley January 6, 1869 and lived on the Braley homestead farm on which her husband was born. She died on the farm July 11, 1926 at the age of 84 and is buried alongside her husband in the Mount Albion Cemetery, Albion, New York. A photocopy of her obituary and a photo of Mina in her old age with some family members, accompany the quilt.

Note: The quilt was back-lit in the photo to show its details.
Estimate $3,000-5,000

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