Very sweet penmanship sampler housed in an early gilt bullnose frame.

Reading: Penmanship [lowercase alphabet] Youthfullness Mytholgy Chirography Penmanship Harmonious Boston, May 14th 182? (the final digit of the year illegible), the deliberate selection of words (Chirography, Mythol[o]gy, Harmonious) suggest 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.