Rare Black Uncle Sam Patchwork Americana cotton Quilt 1980s Stephen Blumrich

Description

This miniature quilt or wall hanging made by Stephen Blumrich of Pea Ridge Purties features twelve (12) pieced Black Uncle Sam blocks separated by sashing.
Blumrich managed to make several of these quilts, one of which hangs at the Smithsonian.
The quilt consists of the pieced top layer, a thin layer of batting, and a plain muslin backing. The layers are tied together with red thread, each tie corresponding to make a button at the center chest of the shirt of the pieced figural blocks. Each figure wears a red and white striped top hat with a blue brim and has his arms outstretched. The faces and hands are made from plain black cotton. Yellow eyes and a red mouth are embroidered on each face. All of the figures wear red and white striped pants matching the hats, but each figure’s shirt is made from a different printed cotton. The background of the figural blocks is made from a plain muslin that appears to have been dyed with tea or coffee to appear aged. The blocks are set with sashing made from a navy cotton with small floral sprig design, with a yellow fabric in the sashing corners that is fussy cut so that a five-pointed star is at the center of the squares. The top is surrounded by a thin border made from plain red cotton. The backing of the quilt is made from a single piece of the same plain muslin dyed with coffee or tea that is used in the background of the figural blocks.
Stamped in the lower right corner of the back is a rectangle in dark brown with uncolored text inside reading “PEA RIDGE / PURTIES.” Text stamped in dark brown below the box reads “COPYRIGHT 1986 / STEPHEN BLUMRICH”.
Measurements:
Length: 31"
Width: 22"
Please let me know if you have any questions!