AN early 19th century sampler created by a 13-old-girl who lived in Peter Tavy is expected to make four figures when it is auctioned in London next month, writes Wendy Hanwell.

The sampler , which was brought into Tavistock for valuation, is in excellent condition for its age and is embroidered with a very unusual view of Peter Tavy church surrounded by flowers and decorations.

A poignant four-verse poem entitled 'Sacred Love to the Memory of a Brother' reveals the tragedy and suffering as a result of infantile mortality in Georgian times

Susannah Maunder worked the sampler in memory of her brother who died at three months.

The owners, Len Booth and his wife of Mary Tavy, took the rare piece of memorabilia into the Tavistock office of Mansbridge and Balment when Michael Newman was conducting his monthly 'Open Counter Valuation Day'. The Booths were given the sampler by an old friend and although it has one or two areas of damage on the coarse cotton, the embroidery is almost untouched.

Mr Booth has since researched the Maunder family and ascertained from parish and other records that Susannah was born and baptized in Peter Tavy in 1813.

The little needlewoman was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Maunder — her mother's family were prominent landowners in the area.

John, the brother that Susannah mourned, was buried at Peter Tavy alongside another sister Elizabeth who died aged six months.

'For ages the sampler was up in the roof so I decided to have it valued as I didn't want it thrown in a skip if anything happened to me or my wife,' said Mr Booth. 'Mr Newman was very excited about it — he liked it a lot. I believe samplers are very collectable so I thought it might put a few bob in my pocket.

'But I hope it comes back to this area.'

David Balment, senior partner in Mansbridge and Balment, said: 'It is very exciting when someone brings in an unusual item, especially one with a local connection.'

Pamela Newman, whose husband Michael is Bonhams' West Country representative based in Plymouth, said: 'This charming innocently worked sampler brings to life those hard days at the end of George 111's reign when so many children died before they reached the age of one.'

The sampler is expected to fetch between £800 and £1,200 when it is auctioned by Bonhams in their London textile sale in March.