Q: I'd like to know more about this coverlet. The words, "A Kump, Hanover, PA, 1844, M.A. Myers," are woven into the corner. Can you give me any information about the weaver and also tell me the value of the coverlet?

A: Your coverlet was made in 1844 by Andrew Kump (1811-1868) of Hanover, Pa. An 1845 newspaper advertisement stated that Kump did "damask coverlet weaving." By 1850 Kump and an employee were making 150 coverlets per year. The intricate pattern of your coverlet indicates that it was woven on a loom with a Jacquard attachment. This special attachment was invented by Joseph Marie Jacquard, a French weaver, in 1801. Jacquard coverlets were first made in the United States in about 1820. The Jacquard attachment used a series of punched cards to guide the threads and create the design. In some ways, it was similar to the way punch cards were used to program computers in the mid 20th century. Your coverlet was made by a listed maker and is in mint condition--it's unfaded and has all of its fringe--so it’s worth about $1,400.