QUILT INDEX RECORD
16-12-312
Where are the records for this quilt housed?
DAR Museum
Who documented this quilt?
DAR Museum, Permanent Collection
DAR Number:
92.172
This is a:
Finished quilt
Quilt's title:
Baltimore Album Quilt
Names for quilt's pattern in common use:
Penn Family Quilt
How wide is the quilt?
103 inches
How long is the quilt?
103 inches
Shape of edge:
Straight
What color is the quilt?
Red; Yellow; Green; White
Overall color scheme:
Multicolor
Quilt's condition:
Good/moderate use
Notes on condition, damage, or repairs:
Several inked signatures illegible, fabric surrounding ink damaged.
Type of inscription:
Message; Initials; Multiple Names
What is inscribed on the quilt?
SAMOHT ROFPRBQ P PENN (stitched in middle of quilt--possibly read backwards as follows: Quilted By Ruth Penn For Thomas P Penn) Marry Ellen Hooker; Elizabeth Jones; Marry Shipley; E. A. Wareum; Ann Chamberlan; Miss June Ewing; Mrs. Rachel Pettit; Miss Amelia Ward; other illegible names. TPP 2 (stitched in back corner of quilt--believed to be the initials of Thomas Pettit Penn)
Method used to make the inscription:
In the quilting; Ink
Location of inscription:
on block
Describe where the inscription was found:
on back
Time period:
1850-1875
When was the quilt finished?
ca. 1850
Describe the quilt's layout:
Block pattern
Number of quilt blocks:
16
Size of quilt blocks:
21 x 21
Arrangement of quilt blocks:
Straight
Spacing of quilt blocks:
Side by side
Number of different block patterns used in the quilt:
16
What is the shape of the quilt blocks?
Squares
Number of borders:
1
Describe the borders:
Appliqued swag done in red with a cluster of three green leaves at the intersection of each swag 8 inches wide.
Fiber types used to make the quilt top:
Cotton
Fabric styles used in the quilt top:
Print; Solid/plain
Piecing techniques used to make the quilt top:
Hand Piecing
Applique techniques used to make the quilt top:
Hand Applique; Reverse Applique
Novelty techniques used to make the quilt top:
Gathering/ruching; Other novelty technique
Embellishment techniques used to make the quilt top:
Embroidery
Materials used to make the back:
Cotton
What color is the back of the quilt?
White
Number of pieces of fabric in the quilt back:
4
Width of pieces on the back:
31, 31, 31, 10
Describe the back:
Same fabric used throughout
How is the binding made?
Back turned to front
What kind of filling is used in the quilt?
Cotton
How thick is the quilt?
Thin (Less than 3/16?)
How are the layers held together?
Hand quilting
Thread type used for the quilting:
cotton
Color of thread used in the quilting:
white
Number of quilting stitches per inch, place 1:
10
Number of quilting stitches per inch, place 2:
11
Quilting designs used, overall motifs:
Outline
Quilting designs used, decorative motifs:
Feathering; Floral; Other
Describe the quilting designs used:
fleur-de-lis, hearts, hand, birds, leaves, anchor
Features or notes about the quilt's appearance, materials, or construction:
4 vases with floral arrangments in center, surrounded by blocks with square or circular wreaths.
Quilted by:
Penn, Ruth
Where the quilt was made, city:
Elkridge Landing
Where the quilt was made, state:
Maryland (MD)
Where the quilt was made, country:
USA
Describe anything about the history of the quilt that wasn't already recorded in a previous field:
The quilt is believed to have been made by Ruth Penn for her son Thomas on the occasion of his marriage.
Why was the quilt made?
Wedding
Exhibitions where this quilt was displayed:
Julius Gutman & Co. Department Store, Baltimore, MD, 1927. Eye on Elegance: Early Quilts of Maryland and Virginia DAR Museum Washington, D.C., Oct. 3, 2014 – Sept. 5. 2015
Ownership of this quilt is:
Public-Other
Quilt owner's name:
DAR Museum
Quilt owner's city:
Washington, DC
Quilt owner's state:
Washington D.C.
Quilt owner's country:
USA
Access and copyright information:
Restricted
Copyright holder:
DAR Museum
Cite this Quilt
Penn, Rut. Baltimore Album Quilt. ca. 1850. From DAR Museum, DAR Museum, Permanent Collection. Published in The Quilt Index, https://quiltindex.org/view/?type=fullrec&kid=16-12-312. Accessed: 04/18/24
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