Saturday at the Quilt Museum - Unique Baltimores

I thought it would be fun to look at some Baltimore Album quilts that are somewhat unusual or unique in one way or another.

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Bernard Nadal Quilt
By Ladies of his Congregation
Baltimore, Maryland
1847
105" x 105"

This one is a tribute to a truly remarkable man.  His great-grand-daughter, Constance Dawson, donated it to the Smithsonian in 1983 with this note:

"I have in my possession a quilt that was presented to my great-grandfather, Bernard Nadal, by the female members of his congregation when he was a minister.....It seems to me that it should be in a museum as the workmanship is exquisite......"

Can you imagine what a beloved man he must have been to have had such an amazing gift made for and given to him?

It was made in Baltimore, Maryland and is dated 1847.

The wonderful story and additional excellent photos (especially the close-ups of the inked art work and inscriptions like this one) are at the link below.

http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_556185

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Eli Lilly Family Quilt

Made by His Friends and Family

Baltimore County, Maryland

1847

104.5" x 105"

This Baltimore Album quilt is unique in that it--

"belongs to a type sometimes referred to as a "death watch quilt." It was made in 1847, the year of his death, to honor Eli Lilly, grandfather of Colonel Eli Lilly, who in 1876 founded the Indianapolis pharmaceutical firm named for him. Twenty of the blocks were signed by the friends and family who gathered at Lilly's bedside during his final days, and his own signature appears in the block with the lyre."

Isn't it beautiful?

There's a little more information at this link:

http://collection.imamuseum.org/artwork/78810/

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Texas Statehood Baltimore

Unknown Makers

Unknown Location

1840's

This Baltimore is unusual in that it apparently was made to commemorate Texas statehood.

"In the middle, find two eagles holding American flags.  On the top right, a Texas star is engulfed by leaves and the word Texas appears on one side."

I like the look of this one.  It has a soft and less cluttered look than some of the others in this genre, perhaps because of the definition of the blocks by the decorative sashing and the simplicity of the borders.

There is more information at the link below.  You'll need to click to picture 4 in the slide show to read about it.

http://austin.culturemap.com/news/arts/08-20-12-atx-the-greatest-poem-of-all-mfah-curator-unlocks-secretsof-250-years-of-american-art/

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Elizabeth MacCullough Hervey Baltimore Quilt

by same

Baltimore, Maryland

1848-1850

111" x 111"

The uniqueness of this Baltimore is in the circlet-surrounds on three of the blocks. Apparently these haven't been seen elsewhere.  It also contains a unique fisherman block.  I really like the fact that it has historical/patriotic influences in the ship and flag blocks.

It now resides in a private home amid an extensive collection of antiques.

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Thanks for joining me on this tour of unique Baltimore Album Quilts!

Happy Quilting!!

PLEASE NOTE:

- I am not a quilt historian.  I simply enjoy finding interesting quilts and sharing them with you!

- The quilt images on this post were sourced from Pinterest unless otherwise noted, and are linked to their origin whenever possible.