$431
Woven Wool and Cotton "HEMFIELD RAILROAD" Coverlet, probably Pennsylvania, 19th century, two-piece, double weave structure of navy blue and salmon wool and natural cotton, with a field of floral and foliate medallions in squares, with single and double borders depicting railroad locomotives and fuel tender cars, with corner blocks depicting a bust of Mr. T.M.T. McKennan, first president of the railroad, encircled with a woven inscription "HEMFIELD RAILROAD," fringed on three sides, (scattered fraying, losses), 84 x 77 in. Literature: This coverlet is pictured in Coverlets and the Spirit of America , by Melinda Zongor (Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., 2002), pp. 186-87. Zongor writes: "This is the famous Hemfield Railroad coverlet, much prized by collectors. In this example, the pattern and color changes create a visual texture of a third color and a resemblance to ingrain carpeting. The correct spelling should include a 'P;' but it would not have fit into the circular motif. It is not known if this is an ad hoc abbreviation...or a misspelling." Note: Beginning in 1857 the Hempfield (Hemfield) Railroad ran from the towns of Wheeling to Washington, Pennsylvania, and in 1871 it was sold to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2014-11-20
