GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Album quilt with twelve squares surrounding an enlarged central medallion block equal in size to four squares. The central medallion displays an eagle appliquéd in the center surrounded by a halo of stars and encompassed by floral swags. Smaller squares include images of cornucopia, wreaths, triple bowknots, layered appliqué floral designs, and images relating to the recipient Captain George W. Russell, including a quilt square featuring a steamship, a square with symbols of both the International Order of Odd Fellows, Washington Lodge and the Masons: the all-seeing eye of God, the heart in hand representing the Odd Fellows practice of extending an open hand to others, three links representing Friendship, Love and Truth, a beehive representing cooperative industry, an hourglass denoting the passage of time, and a tent indicating the characteristics of the ancient shepherds-peace, comfort, and hospitality. itself appears similar to the emblem found on the charter of the Washington Lodge of the IOOF. Indicates that this quilt may also have been designed exclusively by one individual, possibly Mary Simon. techniques: Appliqué, layered appliqué, embroidery, quilting (feather, diagonal, outline, floral) DESCRIPTION BY GRID: a1: Floral cornucopia; inscribed "Edmonia Brashears" (inked), "Mary E. Joyce" (inked); appliqué, layered appliqué; cotton a2: Anchor and birds within floral wreath; inscribed "Sophia Lauder" (inked), "Mary E. George" (inked); appliqué, layered appliqué; cotton a3: Lattice basket with flowers; inscribed "Zorah McCoy" (inked); appliqué, layered appliqué, cotton a4: Floral cornucopia; inscribed "Virginia Joyce" (inked), "Mary J. Atchison" (inked); appliqué, layered appliqué; cotton b1: Lattice basket with flowers; inscribed "Susan Brashears" (inked); appliqué, layered appliqué; cotton b2/c2/b3/c3: Eagle with flag within floral wreath; inscribed "Agnes E. German" (inked), "Mary Bond" (inked); "Katie Bond" (inked), "Martha S. Winchester" (inked), "Presented to Capt. George W. Ruseell/By his Friends of Baltimore/August 23rd 1852" (inked, at center); appliqué, layered appliqué; cotton b4: Masonic motifs within floral wreath; inscribed "Susan Brashears" (inked), "Susan Craft" (inked); appliqué, layered appliqué; cotton c1: Bouquet within floral wreath; inscribed "Rachael A. Russell" (inked), "Rosalba Pawley" (inked); appliqué, layered appliqué; cotton c4: Boat within floral wreath; inscribed "Elizabeth A. George" (inked); appliqué, layered appliqué; cotton, velvet d1: Floral cornucopia; inscribed "Mary A. Russell" (inked); appliqué, layered appliqué; cotton d2: Lattice basket with flowers; inscribed "Mary Ellen Russell" (inked), "Sarah Mann" (Inked); appliqué, layered appliqué; cotton d3: Bird with sprig of leaves and berries; inscribed "Carrie H. M. Ruff" (inked); appliqué, layered appliqué; cotton d4: Cornucopia with fruit; inscribed "Susan DeFord" (inked); appliqué, layered appliqué; cotton ----- During the 1840s and 1850s, Baltimoreans who wanted to honor a family member, cherished friend, or esteemed member of the community often presented him or her with an album quilt. Among the most sophisticated examples is this exceptional quilt dedicated to Captain George W. Russell (1811-1869), who enjoyed a distinguished career as a steamship captain on the Chesapeake Bay. The quilt includes a representation of his ship, the North Carolina; symbols of his membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) and the Masons; and a brilliantly appliqued eagle surrounded by stars and garlands. The enlarged central medallion, the corner squares featuring floral and fruit cornucopias, and the elaborate floral wreaths with double and triple bowknots- all created through the extensive use of layered applique with inked-in details- are characteristic of the world-renowned Baltimore album quilts. -The Baltimore Museum of Art: Celebrating a Museum. Baltimore, MD: The Baltimore Museum of Art, 2014.