Tandy and Charles Hersh have shared their love of samplers with a book covering Pennsylvania German work from 1732 to 1949. Spot samplers in four distinct styles are outlined as well as the influences upon groups of samplers. The Hershs also explain motifs and their meaning, the German alphabet (with usually 24 letters), inscriptions and techniques. They are clear to say that most early samplers were not decorative but, due to a lack of pattern books in this area, were made to gather motifs and letters that would be used later to mark linen and make household items. Many of these early samplers, usually folded in work baskets, have holes where folded. However, they were not displayed and so the colors are not faded. The differing ground fabrics are discussed as well as threads, including when each fabric and fiber was most prevalent. They also have a chapter on decorative linens, especially when they can connect the maker of these items with a sampler made earlier.

The illustrations, both color and black & white, are of excellent quality. I was able to actually see the stitching and, in many examples, could see whether the girl crossed her X’s in the same way and whether she used the vertical thread consistently. (And the examples showed that some were meticulous and some were sloppy, some planned beautifully, some put motifs where ever they fit.) The numbering of all illustrations allowed the reader to follow and find each example quickly. Many of the motifs included charts so that this book could be used to make a spot sampler. In fact, many of the photographed examples were so clear that they could be used as charts. There was an extensive bibliography and an excellent index of names as used on the samplers. Since the spelling was a bit “interesting,” looking up a name like Jaekel would necessitate also looking up Yeakle.

This book was a joy and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in regional samplers. ( )