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QUILT
[Bedding]


missing
View at Kansas Memory

Accession Number: 1968.122.0

Physical Description: Elaborately decorated crazy quilt composed of irregularly shaped and multi-colored silk brocades, taffetas, and velvets. Quilt is made up of 20 large square blocks, each with embroidered initials or a name (probably indicating its maker). Outline embroidery on pieces, plus many detailed decorations worked in embroidery or paint. Some unusual details include pieced fans, a large horseshoe, and sequins and beads. The year 1887 appears in embroidery several times, as well as a few full names—Mrs. May Hunter, Annie Haag, and E.L. Martin. Backing of dark red wool, turned over onto front edge to form binding. Trimmed at each corner with cluster of silk ribbon bows. This was a friendship quilt made for Bertha Frische Younggreen by her sewing circle in Topeka, Kansas.

History of Object: According to the Donation Form, this quilt was used by the donor?s great uncle, Charles Younggreen, at 1016 Tyler Street in Topeka, Kansas, from 1887 until his death. It was made as a friendship quilt for his wife by a local sewing circle. The donor received the quilt from his mother, Pearl Younggreen Shartran, whose father was Charles? brother. Census records list the married couple Charles and Bertha Younggreen as living in Topeka over a period of many decades. Charles was born in Germany in 1852 and emigrated the same year. Bertha Frische was born in Illinois in 1854 to German immigrants. The couple was living with Bertha?s parents in Topeka on the 1880 census.

Date: 1887

Dimensions (in cm): 203.00 (H) 168.00 (W)

Marks/Inscriptions: [sample of embroidered and painted text scattered on top] July 1887 / Home Sweet Home / Hello / Minnie / March 18 1887 / Mother / Remember Me / E. Hazen / Feb. 25 / 1887 / Mrs May Hunter / Annie Haag / Feb 17. 1887 / Crazy / E L Martin / March 11th 1887 //

Index Terms

Associations and Subjects

    Individual: Shartran, Pearl Younggreen, 1884-1977
    Individual: Martin, E.L.
    Individual: Younggreen, Bertha Frische, 1856-1927
    Individual: Hunter, May
    Individual: Hazen, E.L.
    Use, Place of: Topeka (Kan.)
    Individual: Younggreen, Charles, 1852-1935
    Use, Place of: Shawnee County (Kan.)
    Individual: Haag, Annie

Status: Cataloged

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