Baltimore Album Colorful Handsewn Applique Quilt. The famed Baltimore Album Quilt first appeared around 1840 as a style used by only quiltmakers in the Baltimore, Maryland area. This quilt features 20 individual blocks, of uniquely designed and handsewn appliqued patterns each by a different artisan. A significant block features a circle of stars design with four flags flying and embroidered dates 1776 and 1861, placing the making of this quilt at the later date. Above the date of 1861 is stenciled the name Rachel A. Weeks, the block's maker. Rachel Weeks was responsible for a good number of blocks on this quilt and in searching through Maryland Historical Records she was one of a very large family who made quilts. Several others helped with this quilt and each block is attributed with the maker's name or initials. Embroidered initials are B.C.W., M.Z., A.M.H., C.J. T. Embroidered full names are Jane Demarest, and Maria Tice. A common practice by 1845 was to stencil your name on a quilt in ink. The names found stenciled are Caroline and Ellen Ackerman and J. M. Ruskirk, as well as Rachel A. Weeks.
The condition of this quilt is very good. Staining in places are shown throughout with some heavier spots of soiling but all in all very clean for a textile of this age. No holes, tears or rips of any kind. Each block is approximately 16.5" square with a swag motif border adding another 5.25."