This incredible piece of American calligraphy, commemorates the

Family Record of John R. Perkins and Lucy J. Rumsey who were married by Rev. C. P. Goodrich in Newberg Mich. Aug 18, 1880

 and the birth of their two children stating:

THY CHILDREN SHALL BE LIKE OLIVE PLANTS ROUND ABOUT THEY TABLE

Their children are recorded as "Jay Rumsey Perkins, July 29th 1881., Fred Wollfenden Perkins, Oct. 29th, 1883". 

John R. Perkins was a teacher of penmenship in New Berg, Michigan during the 19th century.   Perkins decorated this lovely family record with angels and cupids and designated an area for his children to record their marriages and family deaths (his children never completed the record). It is signed in the lower right "by John R. Perkins" and inscribed lower left "Executed with a metalic [sic] pen". Another piece from the same collection was Perkin's advertisement and was signed "Executed by J. R. Perkins Teacher of Penmanship". Genealogy records show John Ruben Perkins and Lucy Jane Rumsey were married in Cass, Michigan on August 17, 1880.  Chances are that John Perkins' memory of his anniversary was better than the courthouse records....

This is an extraordinary piece of American penmanship that includes eleven angels and cupids in various forms, two folky people a the bottom wearing hats, a multitude of flowers, olive leaves and the great flourishes that make calligraphy so desirable.

Archivally mounted in a period bird's eye maple frame with gilt liner.  Framed size is 20 1/4" x 25 1/8".

(#3969)     $1350