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.