Q: This embroidered picture has been in our family since the late 1960s. It was given to us by a 90-year-old woman. It is 27 by 23 inches. Can you tell us some of its history and approximate value?

A: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, sailors often did needlework and other handicrafts to pass the time at sea. Embroidered pictures with patriotic themes were also commercially made and sold to sailors as souvenirs. Eagles, flags, arrows, olive branches, and stars are often pictured. A banner inscribed “E Pluribus Unum,” part of the Great Seal of the United States, was especially popular. Your embroidered picture is probably one of those made commercially as a souvenir. They usually sell for around $500, depending on size and condition.