1860-1869

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Cased Ambrotype, dated 1863
Photographer: Unknown
Size: Sixth Plate (2.625" x 3.25")

Post mortem ambrotypes are rare. When I popped the image out of the case, I was suprised to find a lock of hair along with a pencil written note inside the case stating: "Mamma's little daughter. Stella Lorena Michael died Sept. 1st, 1863 Aged 1 year 2 mo & 5 days." Stella Lorena is lying in her cradle, her hand resting on her baby quilt, and looking as if taking her afternoon nap. The quilt consists of large dark squares, set on-point, separating the pieced lighter squares. The block pattern for the lighter squares is difficult to discern.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).