Archive for the ‘Antiques’ Category

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Words on Victorian Textile Banners

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

Since writing the initial file, still in place below, I have been sent some lovely photos of the collection of Victorian Banners recently sold at auction by James D. Julia Auctioneers, Fairfield, Maine.

17 Victorian trade banners

Seventeen Victorian trade banners

Close-up of

A close-up view of the “Indebted” Victorian trade banner

Bands of temperance

“Bands of Temperance”

Strike while the iron is hot

“Strike while the iron is hot.”

Sailing ship

A sailing ship

Victorian banner

A shoemaker’s banner

A second shoemaker's banner

A second shoemaker’s banner

Original Post

Much to my amazement today, the mailman delivered a note from a friend in the mid-West which contained a news clipping from the New York Times dated August 20, 2010. In a column by Eve M. Kahn, it is noted that 17 rare Victorian Guild banners that are fringed will be going on the auction block in Maine on August 26. These banners were most recently in the collection of the Maine Charitable Mechanic Association in Portland, Maine who is selling them to raise money for much needed repairs to their building. The group cites lack of adequate climate control for the objects as one of the reasons for the sale.

Each banner is very unique. In looking at an overall photo of these items, as shown in a photo at the site of the auctioneer, James D. Julia, Inc. of Fairfield, Maine, I jotted down some of the sayings that served to advertise various businesses:

1) “United in the Bands of Temperance we are Crowned with Honor.”

2) “May our carriage ever be: UPRIGHT
God speed the Plough”

3) “Bound by the Hoops of Economy
Driven by the Hands of Industry”

4) “Moulded from Patterns of Goodness & Truth
the Casts of our character need neither
Soldering nor Brazing.”

5) “Strength, Convenience, Beauty,
the great desiderata
in Civil Architecture.”

6) “When History’s page
no date can give
Of Empires overthrown.
Our country’s deeds
and ours shall live
In Monumental Stone.

There are others. If you are interested, you may want to take a look at the auctioneer’s website. The lot is expected to sell at $125,000. or more.

I am so appreciative when friends send me interesting tidbits of textile history like this. The general public is dismally unaware of our collective and rich textile history.

As ever,

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

Posted in Announcements, Antiques, Textile Discoveries | No Comments »

Colonial Williamsburg Opens Quilt Exhibit

Monday, June 28th, 2010

Colonial Williamsburg has set up a display of fifteen historic quilts at their Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum. One of the quilts is an unfinished Crazy Quilt made in 1886 for Reverend Oliver W. Winchester, a departing Presbyterian minister of Reedsburg, Wisconsin. All of the twenty makers of the quilt are known, so the quilt was chosen not only for its fine workmanship, but also for its provenance.

Also shown in the exhibit are a fund raising quilt for a school in New York; a crib quilt made in Virginia, and twentieth-century quilts made in Alabama. “All tell stories about people and events of the past.”

This sounds like a wonderful exhibit. If anyone is in the area this summer, I urge you to visit this exhibit!

Information extracted from Colonial Williamsburg: The Journal of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Spring 2010.

This announcement brought to you courtesy of Quilter’s Muse Publications

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Pieces of the Past – Who Truly “Owns” Them?

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

If a quilter mentions to anyone else that she/he makes quilts, no doubt, the other party will say that their grandmother or aunt or mother also used to make quilts. Many of these items are no longer within families. People die and let’s face it, material goods often “live” far beyond our lifetimes, and eventually find a new home.

What happens when family members think of old quilts as something just to get out of their hair? Well, usually, the family, unknowingly or not, calls in a “picker” or an antiques dealer who buys a job lot of whatever. and proceeds to disburse household goods.

Most often, dealers are unaware of the history of every item that passes their hands, and do not know, or take the time to find out the monetary value of them. Keep in mind that values fluctuate a great deal based on workmanship, condition, and desirability.

Collectors are drawn to certain items for very different reasons. They may like to collect pieces from a certain time period, or may like certain colors, or place value on an item that seems to be unique to them.

Twice within a short time, I have been contacted by family members who are related to some of the people who made quilts that are now in my collection. They wish to reclaim items that they got rid of without another thought, that I bought from a dealer, and that I have taken the time to research and/or publish. Keep in mind that these same items were of NO value and of NO consequence to the family before now. But since I have bothered to elevate their status by paying attention to them in a meaningful way, suddenly, these items are demanded back, free of charge, to boot! I am mystified by this attitude.

Truly, I believe that a dedicated collector oftentimes values family material goods far more than the family itself. Collectors know how to care for items in their collection to preserve them in the best way possible and not allow antiques to be used, or in the case of special textiles, be ruined by the unknowing who do not have any information about care, display, or storage of textiles.

I feel no obligation to “return” items that I have acquired legally. After I have spent so much time with them, a part of myself has gone into their study and I feel a real connection to the quilter and her work. Some day, with any luck, these items will find another “good home.” Any thoughts?

Patricia Cummings

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Another Mammy Quilt from Texas

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

Sherri Winter's Mammy Quilt from TX hills

Mammy quilt from the Texas hills

The image above represents yet another “Mammy quilt.” Of the ones I have seen so far, they are all very different. This one features solid color fabrics for the dresses, in red, orange, beige, green, electric blue (my name for it), and tan. Notice that each “mammy” is wearing her hat a different way. The owner, Sherri Winter, states that she thinks the quilt is over 100 years old. It is always more difficult to guess the age of a quilt that has only plain, not printed, fabrics.

Although some folks would consider something like this a sign of racial prejudice, keep in mind that it is only a material object, and the maker probably had a fondness for mammies, those beloved and nurturing members of many a southern family.

Thanks very much for sharing this quilt.

I have posted other information about mammy quilts on this blog. Use the “search” function to find the other files, if you wish.

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

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Crazy Quilt

Friday, March 5th, 2010

Somehow, the former post I had here about a Crazy Quilt made in America in 1889 and sent to a relative in England was deleted. I was given permission to post the photos of the quilt and spent quite a bit of time doing photo edits. I had written about the commemorative ribbon on the surface of the quilt, which depicts President Grover Cleveland, about 8 years ago because it is exactly like a ribbon on a crazy quilt block that I own. The ribbon celebrates the World’s Cotton Centennial Exposition of 1884-1885 in New Orleans.

I will post two photos, an overall of the quilt and a close-up of the ribbon. Sorry if you missed the whole article. An article that was published in May 2002 of The Quilter magazine, pages 36-39, tells the rest of the story, as does a site file at our website called “Louisiana Crazy Quilt” block. Just key in those words and do a site search at Quilter’s Muse Publications to come up with the file.

crazy quilt

2nd photo

The quilt has a pretty embroidered peacock, a fan with “Sister” embroidered on it and the date 1889, and a block embroidered with the caricature-like image of a Black child, which might be offensive to Americans today. It is almost like a “Golliwog” figure, a doll particularly favored by Australians and Brits, historically-speaking, who didn’t think twice about any prejudicial implications. See Dr. David Pilgrim’s site if you would like to better understand ethnic prejudice. He has spoken out often and broadly about the issue.

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

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Update on “Appraisal”

Monday, February 15th, 2010

Ah, ha! I do pay attention and remember details, and I do remember Gerald Roy telling me once that any textile retains the value of its purchase price for one year after the sale, assuming that it remains in the same condition as when purchased. Roy founded the program in Paducah that trains certified appraisers. The seller in question below, bought a quilt at an estate sale, and what he really wanted me to do, as I found out, was to place a monetary value on his item, something that I leave to trained (and paid) appraisers.

Within the last several days, I was contacted by a man who said that his mother had a quilt for sale on eBay that he wanted me to view. When he did not provide an auction number, I told him that I was not going to go on a hunting expedition but if he would provide the number, I’d take a look. He wanted more information and sent additional pictures.

This is what I told him:

The cheddar color present in some of the appliqué work could indicate a PA provenance. (Now, I see that he is from PA. What a coincidence!).

The edges have no separate binding, The way they are turned under makes me believe that the quilt was “cut down” from a larger piece.

The colors and designs are congruent with a mid-19th century piece, but not the overall size. There is no formal layout to the piece and does not appear to be that would be visually attractive, if displayed vertically.

The quilting lines were drawn in pencil, which are still visible, which may prove that the piece has never been washed (it doesn’t appear to have been).

The only unusual factor is the clock, set to 12:32. He wanted to know the significance of that. I told him that it could be a symbol related to the Biblical verse 2:32 that states that all who believe in Jesus will be saved. A total guess, it was as close as I could come to an explanation, unless the time has some other historical significance or personal meaning.

Then, he wanted to know the value. There was one bid on the table for $59.+ and the auction was almost due to end (had about 1 day left). The seller, mother or not, pulled the auction prematurely, and reinstituted it. The item has 10 bids, but look again, very closely. The bids are mostly one person bidding against himself/herself, driving up the price which now stands at $510, “reserve not yet met.” I mean, what idiot would keep bidding against himself, six times in a row, to drive the price up from $201. to $500.? This all smells like a dead fish to me. eBay auction # 160404680497.

Post note: Tonight, the price is up to $699. Wow! There is no accounting for taste, is there? The original auction had one bid. Now, it is reading “0″. This, in spite of a published note to the seller from an interested party who asked him to keep the auction in place and not to sell it, off-eBay, before the auction ended. Sometimes, I’d think I were senile or seeing things, except that 1) I am neither, and 2) I look for honesty in dealing with my fellow humans, and that, my friend, is a street that goes both ways.

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Another Twist about Patchwork

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

Researchers such as Averil Colby of Great Britain, author of two quilt history books in my personal library, one of them called, Patchwork Quilts, sought examples of early European patchwork, checking literature for any possible quilt references. French scholar, Janine Janniere, analyzed a French poem associated with a “needlework masterpiece,” and the memoirs of the man responsible for hanging his textile in the city of Metz. In a 1994 academic paper that she prepared for The Quilt Journal, published by The Kentucky Quilt Project in 1994, Janniere made this statement:

“Intrigued by this first French reference and hoping the rest of the text might give us some clues to the context of French patchwork of that time, I decided to study the poem. Should it be considered a reference to French patchwork bedcovers? This is not really what resulted from my research.” (The bold letters are my emphasis).

Her six page paper that includes the poem, in French, is available to read on The Quilt Index.

In considering topics of history or quilt history, it is always best to keep our minds open and to avoid being didactic. Inevitably, there will be exceptions to any generalization. Each anomaly must be considered as a separate event, as Ms. Janniere has so successfully done. The article is riveting and adds another manner of looking for proof of early French patchwork quilts.

Perhaps, future quilt historians will try to determine which quilt styles were popular, in the late 20th century, by comparing those quilts that are constantly draped on beds or chairs, in movies. It is an artificial way to consider the topic, but it is at the very least “one way.” In the absence of other information, such a study could add at least “some” information.

As the academic community places more of their extant ephemera and photos of quilts, online, there will be greater potential for understanding of quilts and their historical connections by the general public and all interested parties.

Many thanks to the Quilt Index for making this piece of ephemera available on its website, and many thanks to The Kentucky Quilt Project, Inc. for their quality publications that are still “giving” today. I found the link on Lisa Evan’s yahoo group for the study of medieval quilting. Thanks, Lisa.

Patricia Cummings
See my latest article in The Quilter magazine, March 2010 issue: “Feedsack Treasures”
Quilter’s Muse Publications

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Treasure Trove of Family Textiles Continues to Delight

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

Within the last two years, we have been documenting, cleaning, photographing, writing about, and publishing items from the Lewis family collection that represents at least four generations of needleworker/quilters who also worked in other media such as rug hooking, filet crochet, and the latest techniques of their day. Represented are the three most recent quilt revivals: the 1880s, the 1930s, and the 1970s.

I recently re-discovered a number of cartons/baskets/containers that contain textiles that I had not yet documented. I am not finished cleaning all of them yet but I found some interesting discoveries. At the moment, I have no way to share photos as we had to order a newer, compatible version of Photoshop, but at least I can tell you about some of the special “finds.”

1) A rayon, fringed square, probably a souvenir of World War II, with a U.S. Marines insignia on one corner. The father of the man who presented this collection to me was a Marine, as was he, himself.

2) A quilted potholder square, (4 patch), bound with a separate, muslin-color binding. I wondered if this was meant to be a potholder, as the batting is thin or non-existent, or if the item was the start of a potholder quilt.

3) A calico pocket, similar to those that drape over an armchair to hold sewing utensils. There is a “pocket” on each end. Inside the pocket is a card that says in old-fashioned Victorian print: “Merry, merry Christmas and a happy New Year too.” – (written as printed). The reverse side of the card has a hand-written message: “Eleanor – To add to your hopeless chest. – Mother” Somebody had a good sense of humor! A “hope chest” is the name given to collected textiles and household goods that would help a young lady set up housekeeping after marriage. We don’t hear the term very often, these days.

4) There is a 3-D Dahlia pillow made of a “fancy fiber” in a light orange color.

5) Pillowcases, woven in the round, are present in sets of two, each set embroidered with one of the family names, monogrammed, or embroidered. Round pillowcases are no longer sold. The bottom edges often sport crocheted edges, often in variegated thread colors.

6) There are bureau scarves, bridge sets, and piles of handkerchiefs. One that has yellow, scalloped edges was never used and had a small tag that said, “35 cents, Woolworth’s.”

I am left to wonder about some of the other items. I don’t know their potential use. One is a long, rectangular unit, folded in half, that has silk ribbon work on the top edge when it is folded in half, and ribbon ties. It is well-used, but for what purpose?

We have published aprons, potholders, (other) handkerchiefs, and quilts from this collection. It might have all gone to the dump had a family member not been so kind enough as to pass it all on to us, where it has found a broad audience of interested people.

Have a wonderful New Year’s Eve! We will leave the roads to the drunks and instead, we’ll be happily at home with our books, our projects, and our own company.

Happy New Year!

Patricia and James Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

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Posted in Antiques, Embroidery, Fabrics, New Hampshire | 2 Comments »

Success in Textile Cleaning

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

More than a year ago, I received a wonderful collection of various types of family textiles from some prolific needleworkers who made quilts, potholders, aprons, and many other items. I am still documenting all of them, but in the meantime, wrote several articles based on items from the collection for The Quilter magazine.

I “discovered” a pile more of handkerchiefs and then another pile of pillowcases. Holding up the pillowcases, I could see that they were made at a time when completely round pillowcases were manufactured, precluding the need for side seams. Some were embroidered with colored threads (one set had a basket motif; another, flowers). Yet another pair of pillowcases features a monogram on each one. Still another set has the entire last name written out in cursive and embroidered with raised stitching.

The one thing these items had in common is that they smelled bad. A second common trait was that they were severely-yellowed, in an uneven pattern. I decided to try to “improve them,” by trying the safest products first. Here is what I did:

I added Cheer Free and Clear to a half washing tub of water, agitated the solution, and let them soak overnight.
Result: a discernible musty odor was still present

The next day, (today), I poured about 1/2 cup of a product in the wash water that smells like lavender and was guaranteed to “whiten” the pillowcases. The pillowcases smelled like lavender (of course), but were not whitened.

Next, determined to be successful by trying this and that, I added about 1 cup of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda powder and 1/4 cup of Clorox II together with the pillowcases and washed them for a longer cycle, no longer on the hand/delicate cycle, but on the gentle cycle for 10 minutes.

The result is that I now have odor-free, non-yellowed, antique pillowcases.

Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season! I find that it is always the “little things” in life for which I am the most grateful. Have fun!

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

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Schoolgirl Sampler Commands Top Dollar

Monday, September 28th, 2009

An 18th century schoolgirl Sampler came up for auction in Maine and has commanded the highest price of any Sampler sold: $465,750, according to Antiques and the Arts Online. A photo of the piece, which was expected to sell for much less, appears on their website:

Be patient. The remote site takes a long time to load.

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