I just arrived home from an auction - lots of Victorian needlework (chairs, footstools, candlescreens, counted paper framed mottoes), and old clothing (petticoats, children's dresses), but the 'piece de la resistance' was a late 1700s flamestitched purse (roughly six inches wide by four inches tall when closed). I wasn't the only one who knew what it was. When I left the auction at about 3 p.m. when the rain started, it was the item that had sold for the highest bid price - $1300.
I took some pictures of it before the sale, and if they turn out, I will post them to r.c.t.n pictures.
The purse had an inscription inside listing the name of the stitcher (Rebecca McKinnon), and the lady's birth(1747) and death dates(1814).
The county I live in is Loyalist country, so she was probably born in the US and came north after the American revolution.
A lovely drop leaf solid cherry table with four foot wide boards went for only $450, while most of the other needlework items went for $50 - $100.
I spent a grand total of $38.50 - I got a little table for my plants ($4), a Kenmore sewing machine ($5), a pier glass mirror for my husband's dresser ($15) and some tea cups ($10). There were a number of things I regretted not bidding on when it was too late, but at least I don't have buyer's remorse from spending too much money.
MargW