A rare pair of watercolors on paper showing a child with her nanny. Signed by Mary W. Hammond, 1862. They were in Joan Brownstein's booth at the Hospital Show (where she sold them.) "They're charming," Joan told me, "but what's really remarkable is that they were done by a ten-year-old. It's astounding that a child of that age could have such a highly developed style with such intricate patterning in the costumes and rug." As an artist herself, Joan was particularly appreciative of this ability. "Children of that age did highly accomplished needlework," she continued, "but that was copying, this is free composition in design and subject matter. Wonderful!"

Joan R. Brownstein, American Folk Paintings, 24 Parker St, Newbury, MA 01951. (978) 465-1089, joan@ joanrbrownstein.com, www.joanrbrownstein.