R H 1879 Reproduction Sampler
REPRODUCTION SAMPLER PATTERN, READY TO DOWNLOAD, BY Couleur Tourterelle

The main characteristic of this 1879 sampler is its elongated format and its dominant use of black. It is far from austere though given the colorful little motifs that have been fitted in between the letters, particularly the little dog and butterfly as well as the vivid green roses. Notable too is the inclusion of roman numerals in addition to digits, a rare occurrence.

This sampler is finished in a characteristic way, lined with pink silk at the back and framed using a ribbon that is finished into a bow in each corner. And whereas the large R and H initials and date give little clue about the stitcher's identitity, given this particular way of finishing the sampler Meriem Chauvet's (the collector and designer behind Couleur Tourterelle) suspects it could be of Belgian, German or Austrian origin. 

The chart is all perfectly regular cross stitch, so it could be stitched on any fabric of your choice. The original sampler (last photo) was worked using wool on canvas. While Meriem picked silk (from Au Ver à soie (AVAS) on a 40ct Zweigart Newcastle linen) when she stitched the reproduction, she also offers an option to work it in wool (Lana Aurifil on a 36ct Zweigart Edinburg linen), closer to the feel of the original.

The reproduction cross stitch chart strictly reproduces every stitch and matches all colors of the original sampler (see last photo). 
 

A cross stitch pattern by Couleur Tourterelle.

>> see more Reproduction Sampler patterns by Couleur Tourterelle
 

Chart info & Needlework supplies for the pattern:
R H 1879 Reproduction Sampler

Chart size in stitches: 95 x 234 (wide x high)
Needlework fabric: 40ct Newcastle linen (if worked with AVAS or DMC), or 36ct Edinburg linen (if worked with Lana Aurifil) from Zweigart, in color 222
Stitched size: 4.75 x 11.7 inch (12 x 29 cm) on a 40ct linen, or 5.3 x 13 inch (13,5 x 33,5 cm)
Stitches: cross stitch over 2 threads
Chart: Color, includes one-page chart for Digital stitching
Threads: Soie d'Alger silk from Au Ver à soie (AVAS) or DMC or Lana Aurifil Wool
Number of colors: 8

Themes: late 19th century, roman numerals, alphabet, sampler finishing with ribbon borders tied into bows.
 

>> see all Reproduction sampler patterns (all designers)

>> see all patterns of Reproduction samplers from the late 19th century (all designers)
 

All patterns on Creative Poppy's website are printable and available for instant download.