2000.13.1

Embroider picture of Mt. Fuji, a river with a few sailboats, land with two small structures, a grove of tree. a few lines of trees and a small path. The tones of the silk floss are quiet--cream color, beige, gray, light green, etc. According to family history this piece was give to Retta Margret Sylvia McCormick by a family friend after whom she was named, Retta Clarkson. Mrs. Clarkson was the widow of a man who had served in the United States Diplomatic Corps in Japan. It is believed that this embroidery was a gift to Mr. Clarkson from the Japanese government. Mrs. Clarkson wanted her namesake to have the embroidery. Written on a paper tag on the back of the framed embroidery is: ...From R. Clarkson to my namesake, I wish to have this embroidered picture, Japanese. To Mrs. Ray (Retta) McCormick, 4172 Wilshire B'lv'd, Oakland, California 94602." The embroidery evidently was framed in Vancouver, B.C. -- there's a green oval sticker on the back "Eastman Kodak Limited, 610 Granville St., Vancouver, B.C." Judging from the style of the frame, this was probably done sometime in the 1910s-1920s.

Used: gift | Souvenir | Diplomacy | Retta Clarkson | Retta Margret Sylvia McCormick