ASHEVILLE, N.C. — On January 29, Brunk Auctions auctioned 186 lots from the collection of Dr Carole Wahler of Knoxville, Tenn. Almost doubling its high estimate, a rare signed needlework sampler from 1824 became the highest-priced lot in the sale when it sold to an institution for $49,200, including buyer’s premium ($15/25,000). The sampler was signed “Wrought by / Louisa H. Rogers / Asheville 1824” and included two verses in addition to several alphabet lines, images of trees and a house and a border of vines with berries. The silk on linen sampler was housed in a painted period frame measuring 26½ by 25¾ inches. The lot also included photos of Rogers’ daughters and their home, as well as Wahler’s original bill of sale from antique dealer James Allen of Atlanta, which noted he purchased the lot from Julia Rawlings, the great-granddaughter of Louisa Rogers. Further results from the auction will be featured in an upcoming issue.