Adena Pin Ring Bamboo and Drapery
Bixby Vine
Bees and Stars Bixby Vine & Drapery
Jefferson Trellis
Blue Hill Stripe Franklin Stripe
Madison Damask
Laurel Harlequin Madison Damask
Moses Grant Stripe Pebbles and Flowerpots
Philadelphia Harlequin Plymouth Ashlar
Prince-Rollins Marble  Ribbon Sprig
 
 
Adena Pin Rings
Click image for larger view View alternate colorways: B  C   D  


French (Paris) circa 1799

This small figured pattern was installed in the library of Thomas Worthington's house, Adena, in Chillicothe, Ohio in 1808. The paper was purchased by Worthington's brother-in-law from Thomas & Caldcleugh, a Baltimore stationer and paperhanging manufacturer. We know from advertisements in Baltimore newspapers that Thomas and Caldcleugh purchased much of their stock from Thomas Hurley's manufactory in Philadelphia.

This pattern's simple geometry was described by Mr. Thomas as a "late fashionable piece" which was "plain and neat." Neat was defined at that time as "characterized by elegance of form or arrangement, with freedom from all unnecessary additions or embellishments; of agreeable but simple appearance; nicely made or proportioned."

This was probably the "common paper" listed in an 1808 invoice in Adena's records; if so we know it was fairly inexpensive. Another example of this pattern resides in the Winterthur library as a cover for the Abraham Rex 1806 daybook.

This pattern is licensed to Adelphi Paper Hangings by the Ohio Historical Society.

Repeat 7 inches
Width 21 inches
Straight Match

The historic colorway image above shows two widths of the pattern installed.  Alternate colorway images show one complete width of the pattern.