Description

A quintessential mid-19th c. piece seen in loads of period photos. Shown in use as the single bed coverlet, draped over a table as in the famous photo of Lincoln’s post Antietam visit in the field with McClellan, and used by private soldiers in the field as a lightweight blanket. These coverlets are great for lightweight warmer weather use as well as a second cover over the blanket. They also serve very well employed as a shawl around the campfire or on evening picket. They serve well as table coverings, even as floor coverings, couch drapes, or their original purpose as a bed/cot covering, &tc., &tc. (they look great in the tent but also serve well to coverup anything stored in public view that may detract from the period ambiance) Made in 100% cotton available currently in inventory in four classic period weave patterns and color schemes. (lighter weight to carry than the more expensive wool reproductions or use of valuable original pieces – a great authentic, period correct alternative) We have carried these in our shop for years and are equally happy to now offer them as part of our online inventory. Double folded and sewn hemmed edges they are the perfect size at a little over 4 ft. wide and a little over 6 ft. long. (same size as the majority of many single bed originals we have handled) This is the size of the most common loom of the period, the far majority of early coverlets such as this one were made in this “single” bed size. If a larger cover was desired, two were sewn together lengthwise, most commonly seen hand done, usually at the time of manufacture by the maker. The far majority of larger original early period covers found today are such two-piece affairs with the center seam – in fact it is considered an important feature in dating an original example, sans any other specific provenance to dispute it. Should you desire a bigger cover – feel free to buy two and put them together, just as they did then! (I have even seen two over the years that were actually different patterns joined together, obviously done after manufacture and by a person of more humble means and necessity. All period patterns, the three tri-color patterns weigh in at about 2.5  to 2.75 lbs. and the bi-color and tri-color snowflake patterns are a bit lighter weight at just about 2.25 lbs. Please note the dark colored yarn indicated as Navy-Blue may appear more black than blue to some customers. It is identified to us as a very dark Navy-Blue yarn by the manufacturer and we will continue to identify it as such.