Name/Title
Towel, Wallhanging: Trees 208, BlueDescription
A Country Prints production sample retained as a print record.
A two-color silkscreen print on off-white linen depicting stylized drawings of trees, a farm, and a Pennsylvania “Dutch” farmer using a shovel. In script is a paraphrasing of the Poor Richard’s Almanac maxim, “he who plants a tree loves others but himself”. This design was available in three colorways on white or natural linen.
In 1732, English minister and physician Thomas Fuller published “Gnomologia: Adagies and Proverbs”, a collection of over 5,000 quotes, including the one found on this print; see web link.
This print was marketed for use as a kitchen towel, wallhanging, or table runner, and appears on c.1949 and c.1951 Country Prints packing slips, and in a c.1952 brochure for Churchill Barn, owned by Stanley G. Churchill, Country Prints’ lead sales representative throughout the 1950’s; see images.
A c.1955 Country Prints price list describes this towel/runner, “He Who Plants a Tree Loves Others. Red, Green or Blue on white.”
The price list also states, “Pure Linen Kitchen Runners and Towels, Nice enough to “Hang” or Frame — in fact we now offer any of these framed in a flat early black frame at $10.00.”Made/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Robert Darr WertRole
ArtistManufacturer
Country PrintsDate made
circa 1949Time Period
20th CenturyPlace
Location
Gill MA.Continent
North AmericaNotes
Design was first produced c.1949. This example on white linen is likely c.1955.
Upper and lower edges are straight stitched and fringed, sides are selvedged.Inscription/Signature/Marks
“by hand”, lower left corner, and “ROBERT DARR WERT”, lower right corner.Material
Bleached Linen, Textile Ink
