Baltimore Album Quilt: Circa 1850

The Baltimore Album quilt is the most coveted of all quilt genres. This example has many of the features found in the finest examples. It has: baskets of fruit and flowers; use of ombre blue fabrics; a Bible; lyre; birds and butterflies and white roses. Many of the elements are stuffed applique. Approximately half of the blocks have inked signatures and/or inscriptions. Among those that are legible are: Sister Gibson; Baltimore; Sister Freidlay  Love the Lord because he has heard my voice and my supplication; Holy Bible book Sister McNelly; Sister Carr and Sister Cramer.  It is most interesting that the quilt has some religious affiliation as each of the signatures is that of a Sister.  Now for the bad news... The quilt does have condition issues. It has been washed and conserved by the Textile Conservation Workshop. They applied fine netting to many of the blocks with damage but some are still uncovered. In spite of its delicate condition, this remains a fine example of a desirable Ba