Name/Title
Towel, Wallhanging: Remember the Miller 205Description
A Country Prints production sample retained as a print record.
A six-color silkscreen print on white linen depicting a miller and his mill surrounded by his product and the community his business supports.
This appears to be a c.1952 design that was reintroduced to the Country Prints product line with an updated color scheme after Wert’s death in January 1966. The initials AD/DA next to Wert’s signature indicate a second artist was involved in updating or emulating Wert’s earlier work. A matching placemat set (undocumented) and table runner were produced in the early 1950’s as well.
A c.1955 Country Prints price list describes this towel/runner, “Remember the Miller when you eat your Bread, with Miller, Mill and related objects. Red, Green, Mustard, Brown and Black.”
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.”
This towel/wallhanging appears in the brochure “Country Prints by Robert Darr Wert and Neighbors”, c.1966; see images.
This is one of over sixty designs sold by Country Prints to Stevens Linen Associates of Dudley, Massachusetts, in January 1969. From that point onward, the designs were produced by Stevens with all reference to Robert Darr Wert and Country Prints removed. Many of these designs continued to be produced by Stevens throughout the 1970’s and some into the 1980’s.
In a memo from Fritz Kaufhold (Country Prints’ business manager) to Bob MacKay (Stonelea Mills/Stevens Linen Associates) dated February 12, 1969, Fritz notes this designs is was an average seller at the time.Made/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Robert Darr WertRole
ArtistManufacturer
Country PrintsDate made
circa 1966Time Period
20th CenturyPlace
Location
Gill MA.Continent
North AmericaNotes
Upper edge is a rod pocket to accept a dowel for hanging, remaining edges are hemmed.Inscription/Signature/Marks
“wert country prints” with “AD” or “DA”, lower left corner; “by hand all linen”, lower right corner.Dimensions
Dimension Description
ApproximateHeight
30 inWidth
17 inColor
Yellow, Red, Blue, Green, Black
