Featured Victorian Punchwork Motto...Temperance Society ?

Found this in an antiques store here in Massachusetts, wonderful shape and I love the frame. Anyway, is this a Temperance Society movement piece ?
I love how the frame mimics the line work in the needlework. It has the foil behind it to add some sparkle when the light hits it.
Motto is "Touch not Taste not Handle not' with a snake and a goblet.
I can't find another in my searches, just references to it.
Thought you folks might like to see it.

 

I would say very likely.

 

It is very unique and beautiful. I think you found an interesting piece!

 

Thank you, the condition is wonderful.

 

Really nice!

I wish roommate would do same!

 

Thank you !
I believe it is all original, nails and back look right. I'll post close-ups here to be sure.
Be right back.

 

Here's some close-ups.

 

That's a really neat frame too!

 

Bakersgma, it was the frame that caught my eye first, the text was hard to read. I bought it because of the frame and the pristine condition and didn't figure out what it actually said until I got it home.

 

I would have bought it just for the frame too!

 

Hi,
Please be warned, make sure you place an archival piece of paper between the wood backing and the fabric. I have seen so many of these ruined by the acid in the wood eating through. Whenever I buy a framed article like this. I take it apart and be sure to paint the edge of the frame where the fabric touches.
greg

 

Hi Greg. For some reason my response didn't post so at the risk of repeating myself I'll try again. There isn't any fabric in this, the cross stitch is done on thick paper with pre-cut holes that you could buy in a kit. Behind the paper and thread is foil to create a slight glitter as it shines through the empty holes when light hits it. Maybe that's why it's in such good condition, the foil may have protected it.

 

Very nice! Thank you for sharing.

 

Hi Calico,
I misunderstood your post, sorry. I had a wonderful newspaper photograph from 1870 which was framed. I got it in the 1950s and kept it out of direct light hanging in an interior wall and it was fine. Last year I noticed four brown lines going across the photo from the four wood boards which were the backing. I immediately took it apart and the photo was "scorched" from the backing. I asked some professional paper restorers for help. They were unable to do anything and just told me line the of the frame and the edges. I did not want you go through the same thing. I used the word fabric instead of paper.
greg

 

Don't be sorry Greg, I appreciate your suggestion and knew what you meant. I'm a bit fearful of taking this apart, the foil can be very brittle and I'd hate do more harm than good but I may just take the back board off and insert acid free paper.
Thank you !

 

It just occurred to me - the piece itself is likely not acid-free...

There are products out there to neutralize acidic paper - I wouldn't know what to recommend, just a thought.

I did find these: Bookeeper Deacidification Spray ($$) & Krylon Make-it-Acid-Free ($)

Both say they won't harm the paper itself, but yours has other materials, so...

I have quite a lot my grandfather's ephermera dating from 1850 on that needs treatment, so I'm interested in anyone's experience or opinion - maybe I'll post a few examples in a new thread?

 

There are ph testing pens available. I found one on Adorama for under $10, shipped (the pen itself costs around $6)

Lineco PH Testing Pen

(too late to correct nice spelling: ephermera!)

 

Hi Scout,
I have saved newspaper clippings for years. The very old ones were not made from wood pulp which is so acidic that they burn and fall in pieces. I make a solution of equal parts water and stomach antacids such as Maalox or Wingel etc. Soak the clippings for 30 mins and hang to dry. When they are dry, brush them lightly with you fingers. They will remain white and not fall apart. I learned about it from The National Library that saves copies of all the newspapers. They are treated and then digitized.
greg

 

Pat - I see that your white spots are very high contrast - so I get why it bugs - can you hold down the contrast somehow? I only know when I'm "happy" with images, but not always how I got there, camera adjustment-wise - I'm sure someone else on here has some idea how to control that...

Hi Greg,

Wait a minute, wth is Wingel??

I'd be afraid to use it on Grandaddy's stuff, since it has ink and one is an ink/qouache sketch. But they need help, def.

Will it brighten things, or just arrest acidity?

I have a few things like card de visites that I'd just like to clean up a little.

(( I don't know if anyone noticed my ramblings last week about picker/collector names I've been making up for co-workers, but "Ephemera" definitely has possibilities! ))