1853

Album Quilt

Album quilts were very popular in the mid-nineteenth century, valued as expressions of affection and friendship. In this example, forty-eight blocks are inscribed with the names and initials of the family and friends of Richard H. Mosher. The center block is appliquéd with three intersecting links, representing friendship, love, and truth, symbols of the fraternal Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Some of the quilt blocks also contain symbolic references to this fellowship, while others may be based on popular prints of the period, including the little girl Topsy from Uncle Tom's Cabin published in 1852, kittens playing with balls of yarn, a log cabin, and soldiers on horseback.