Up for sale is a beautifully preserved piece of early 19th-century history. This antique silk pocketbook (or lettercase) is incredibly rare as it is not only dated "1809" in the embroidery itself but also comes with an original handwritten provenance note from the same year. An exceptional addition for collectors of Georgian/Regency era textiles, mourning items, or early 19th-century accessories.
Item Details:
Date: 1809 (Georgian / Regency Era)
Material: Ivory/cream silk with metallic thread and colored silk embroidery.
Design: Features delicate floral vines, ribbon motifs, a centralized bow, and is monogrammed "J C P" on the front flap with "1809" embroidered directly below it.
Origin: German (based on the accompanying note).
The Provenance Note:
Included with the pocketbook is an original slip of paper with old German handwriting (Kurrentschrift).
Front translation: "From the good old Mrs. Klein, née Nutzinger / the 6th of Jan. 1809."
Back translation: "A precious keepsake of my late father. / 5237. L/m"
Condition:
This is a genuine, 200+ year-old textile and is sold in antique, "as-is" condition. While it displays beautifully, it does show wear commensurate with its extreme age. The edges exhibit fraying, and there is typical "silk shattering" (splitting/tearing of the silk fabric) along the interior folds and hinges. There is some minor fading and a few light age spots. The metallic thread and floral embroidery remain largely intact and striking. Please review all photos carefully as they are part of the description.