1875 - 1885 James, Kent, Santee & Co. Fabric Sampler Quilt Top
date: label: date made
content: 1875-1885
name: label: maker
content: unknown
notes: label: Description
content: The quilt top is comprised of twenty-five 13-inch printed cotton squares that are samples from the textile firm, James, Kent, Santee & Co., of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. All of the squares are plain-woven, roller-printed cotton. Thirteen squares are different red on pink or pink on red floral designs; twelve are brilliant polychrome prints, mainly paisleys. The squares are hand sewn, but the border is stitched on by machine.
label: Description
content: James, Kent, Santee & Co., was a successful textile firm established by William C. Kent and two friends in 1840. A New York Times notice (February 22, 1860) listed the firm among other Philadelphia merchants, as “enemies to the institutions of the South.” They were listed under “THE BLACK LIST, OR ABOLITION HOUSES, OF PHILADELPHIA.” Despite this and a disastrous Philadelphia fire in February 1866 that destroyed their buildings, the firm prospered until it was reorganized under another name in 1882.
label: Description
content: The donor’s father, Henry D. Welsh, joined the firm in 1852, became a partner in 1856 and continued in the firm until 1881. William C. Kent and Henry D. Welsh and others, in addition to the textile business, successfully invested their time and energies in the development of railroads. Among many other civic activities, Henry D. Welsh was one of the incorporators of the Centennial Exposition in 1876. Both men, self-made, died successful businessmen. The quilt top represents the product of the textile firm that was instrumental in their careers.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United States
topic: label: Subject
content: abolitionism
label: Subject
content: Manufacturing
label: Subject
content: Quilting
setName: label: See more items in
content: Home and Community Life: Textiles
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content: Textiles
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content: Domestic Furnishings
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content: Quilts
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of Laura Welsh (Mrs. Thomas L.) Casey
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: TE.T07540
label: accession number
content: 112548
label: catalog number
content: T07540
objectType: label: Object Name
content: quilt
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: fabric, cotton (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: thread, cotton (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 72 in x 75 in; 183 cm x 191 cm