This is bed linen from the trousseau of a French Bourgeoisie family ( meaning upper middle class) who's family can be traced back to the 17th C. The lady,and as usually is the case now, told me that both the children and their grown up grand children are not interested in period French linen,which in a way is a little sad as it has been and still is so much part of their upbringing,education and patrimoine. The 15 pieces or so are all part of their great grand parents on both sides and very little used since and have been "asleep" for decennia in the often beautiful armoires and very well maintained. The initials J.T. (Jean Marie & Theadore )are done in very high relief. They are sitting in a rich oval wreath with clusters of single open flowers. In anticipation of their engagement and followng marriage, the young girls would commence preparing their trousseau. They marked each piece with their initial. Their fiancés would be embroidered later to the left of her initial. It does happen to have linen with only one letter from a young girl who would not have found a husband, or the husband would have died very young and she would not have had the time to finish her work. The edgings have a strong open thread work border. PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING: Due to the sharp increase of fuel prices we had to look for more competitive transporters. Therefore as it is out of our control delivery could be delayed.