Dennis Mills 2024 donation coverlet #9
Transcription notes:
Overshot Coverlet c. 1850 – or earlier
Ref. Keep Me Warm One Night Burnhams #299
Unidentified weaver
Found in Oakville, Halton Co.
“Dog Tracks” variation
This coverlet represents the beginning of my collection. It was the first coverlet I
purchased in 1974. I had had recently moved to my first apartment at 1276 Islington
Avenue just north of Bloor St. Thomas Montgomery’s Inn was close by and I visited it
regularly to be immersed in an 1830s restored museum. I attended an antiques show
and sale at St. George’s on The Hill close by and purchased this coverlet from an
antiques dealer from Oakville who had found it in south Halton Co. near Oakville.
The coverlet has an indigo blue weft on a bleached cotton warp. It is identical to the
Halton County example from Oakville in the ROM (KMWON) #299. “The ‘Dog Track’
motif has been used in conjunction with a large solid table. The small corner blocks of
the latter have been drafted on opposites to the ‘star’ motifs making the pattern stand
out in clear definition [illegible but looks like ‘p227’]. The original owner and the weaver
are unknown.
The purchase of the coverlet led me to purchase my original copy of Keep Me Warm
One Night. The rest is my history. Side borders in variation and matched centre seam.
Condition: Fair to good. It has several losses of the blue wool to the top edge and some
old surface discoloration. At the time of purchase the condition was of no concern but
since I have tried to purchase only excellent to good (or rare examples regardless of
condition).
Source: St. George’s on the Hill Church Antique Show 1974
Dimensions: 81” (206 cm) x 66” (168 cm) w.
