Small penmanship sampler on toned paper, housed in an early bullnose gilt frame with heavy wear to gilding.
The inscription reads: Penmanship [lowercase alphabet] Youthfullness Mytholgy Chirography Penmanship Harmonious Boston, May 14th 182? — the final digit of the year illegible. Flourished oval ornaments throughout.
The deliberate selection of words (Chirography, Mythol[o]gy, Harmonious) suggests a writing master’s demonstration piece.
Reverse inscribed by the maker’s son: “This writing was done by my father with a quill pen. Joseph Knowlton taught school in his early life, and quill pens were used in those days. — George K. Knowlton.”
Presumably Joseph Knowlton, 1810–1888 (aged 78) and George K. Knowlton, 1840–1936 (aged 96), Essex County, Massachusetts.
Wear and condition as expected with age.
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