Two 18^th century samplers, sewn by the youngest sister of Robert Burns, are to be sold by Charterhouse Auctioneers & Valuers in their textile auction on Friday 3^rd November.

 “They are an amazing discovery found hidden away in an old wooden box at the owner's house in deepest Dorset.” Commented Richard Bromell.

 The samplers are worked by Isabella Burns, the youngest sister of poet Robert Burns. They were both included in the historically important Scottish Exhibition in Glasgow 1911

The 1911 Exhibition had an emphasis on Scottish history and culture. The main centrepiece of the exhibition was the Palace of History which displayed thousands of items loaned by public and private collections across Scotland, including the two samplers being sold by Charterhouse Auctioneers & Valuers.

They were loaned by the Rev George F A MacNaughton from The Manse, Carsphairn, Kirkcudbrightshire in Dumfries and Galloway. Both samplers still retain their original exhibition labels on the back.

The largest sampler, estimated at £200-400, measures 43 x 20.5 cm, and the other, estimated at £100-200, measures 19 x 19.5 cm, and they come to auction from a direct descendant of the Rev George MacNaughton.

Richard Bromell and the Charterhouse team can be contacted for advice and valuations at The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne, 01935 812277 or via [email protected]