A package arrived shortly before Christmas from an auction house and on unpacking the sampler “Ann Clay 1797” we were intrigued to see a small plaque attached to the back that hadn’t been mentioned by the auctioneers.
If someone said Roddy McDowall we would think Lassie with Elizabeth Taylor or even Planet of The Apes not antique needlework.
A search on Google revealed that in 1969 Roddy McDowall directed his only film The Ballad of Tam Lin also known as The Devil’s Widow or The Devil’s Woman, it was released the following year. The leading lady was Ava Gardner.
It seems that the sampler was a gift from the cast/crew of the film.
You never know where needlework is going to take you next but for this sampler it is off to be cleaned and conserved.
An interesting point – Ann Clay recorded not only her name but the name of her boarding school and its full address. Old Street is a suburb of London.
LOVE YOUR MARY ANN BOURNES. JUST ORDERED IT AND AM LOOKING FORWARD TO STITCHING IT. PLEASE CONSIDER REPRODUCING THE ANN CLAY SAMPLER. SO MANY OF US ADMIRE THIS AND THERE IS NOTHING IN CHARTS THAT COME CLOSE TO THIS KIND OF SAMPLER. I WILL BE A CUSTOMER FOR LIFE. THE VERY BEST WISHES ON YOUR NEW JOURNEY !!!!
CINDY JONES
Received my “Miss Mary Ann Bournes 1791” chart and it beautifully done! Can’t wait to see the next one.