Antique 1938 Friendship Signature Quilt Pear Ridge Club Hand Quilted Embroidered For Sale

Antique American Friendship / Signature Quilt – Dated 1938Approx 75”x82”Wonderful original hand-quilted friendship or signature quilt featuring individually pieced colorful blocks with embroidered names of numerous women and an embroidered “PEAR RIDGE CLUB” block.One block is embroidered “Mrs. Young Paul 5-7-1938,” providing an important period date for the quilt. Based on the construction, fabrics, embroidered signatures and dated block, this appears consistent with a Depression-era community friendship quilt.Friendship/signature quilts were traditionally collaborative quilts in which members of a family, church, club or community contributed signed or named blocks. Similar documented examples from the 1930s were produced by women’s clubs, church groups and other community organizations.This quilt contains numerous individually embroidered names as well as the Pear Ridge Club inscription, making it an especially interesting piece for further genealogical or local-history research. I have not been able to conclusively identify the location or organization represented by Pear Ridge Club, so no specific geographic origin is being claimed.The quilt appears to be cotton and is extensively hand quilted, with colorful pieced/appliquéd motifs against a light background. The reverse beautifully shows the extensive quilting work.CONDITION: This is an approximately 88-year-old textile and is being sold in as-found antique condition. There is significant age-related wear, including staining/discoloration, age toning, worn areas, loose/frayed fabric and substantial deterioration/opening along one upper corner/edge with batting exposed. There are also brown stains/marks visible on the reverse. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.I have not cleaned, bleached, repaired or restored the quilt. It is being left in its found condition for the next owner to preserve or conserve as desired.A wonderful piece of American textile and social history, particularly interesting for collectors of antique quilts, Depression-era textiles, signature quilts, genealogy and women’s/community history.Please see photographs for the embroidered names, Pear Ridge Club block, dated 1938 block, hand quilting and all condition issues