Textiles in America 1650-1870
by Florence M. Montgomery
with foreword by Linda Eaton, Curator of Textiles, Winterthur Museum
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A book review by Patricia L. Cummings
Revised Edition of Textiles in America
A brand new edition of Textiles in America: 1650-1870 written by (the late) Florence M. Montgomery, has recently been reprinted. The Henry Francis duPont Winterthur Museum in Delaware holds the copyright for the book which was published by W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., New York, NY.
ISBN 13:978-0-393-73224-5
ISBN 10:0-393-73224-X
Author of Two Huge Volumes About Textiles
During her professional working life, Montgomery was an Assistant Curator at the Winterthur Museum. She penned an additional comprehensive text entitled Printed Textiles: English and American Cottons and Linens 1700-1850, which is currently out of print, but still a valuable resource. It is equally voluminous, in nature.
The current book includes a foreword by Linda Eaton, Curator of Textiles, at the Winterthur Museum & Country Estate. She reveals that both Florence and Charles Montgomery were scholars in the field of American decorative arts, and she lists the many professional positions held by Florence Mellowes Montgomery during her lifetime, including work as a consultant for the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Description of Book
Described on the publication data page as "a dictionary based on original documents, prints and paintings, commercial records, American merchant's papers, shopkeepers' advertisements, and pattern books with original swatches of cloth," the book contains 412 pages, making it is quite heavy. The chapter headings are: Exploration of Furnishing Practices in England and America; Bed Hangings; Window Curtains; Upholstery; Textiles for the Period Room in America. There is also a Dictionary, Color Plates, and more. At the end of the book is an extensive bibliography.
Wonderful Gift
This book would provide good reading, at any time, but will also serve as an invaluable resource that one will turn to, again and again, to review descriptions of types of fabric and more. We are so happy that the book has been returned to print. No library of a serious fabric enthusiast should be without this lovely edition. This would make a lovely holiday gift for someone very special who loves textiles.
Personal comment: It is really fun to re-create quilt blocks such as this one based on the Sarah Nunn McCrea quilt from New Jersey. Sarah is a distant relative of Patrick Swayze, and probably made the quilt in the 1830s.
Copyright 2007. Patricia Cummings, Quilter's Muse Publications, Concord, New Hampshire. pat@quiltersmuse.com