------------------------------

Date: Thu, 01 Jun 2000 13:58:22 +1000

From: Lorraine Olsson <sven@pnc.com.au>

Hi All,

This notice has just appeared on the Southern Cross Quilters group list.

Maybe there will be visitors coming to Australia that might be

interested.

I know I will certainly be visiting!!

Lorraine in Oz

Historic Australian Quilt Exhibition

> A show of Historic Australian Quilts, presented by the National Trust

> of

> Australia (NSW) and curated by Dr Annette Gero, will be held from

> 5 June to 22 August , 2000 at Old Government House and Experiment

> Farm

> Cottage, Parramatta in Sydney, Australia.

>

> Old Government House, Parramatta, Sydney (which was the first

> residence

> of the Governors of the Colony of Australia), will house about 60

> historic

> quilts, all with Australian histories or associations. Although there

> were

> far fewer quilts made in Australian than in the USA, quilting and

> patchwork was an integral part of women's needlecraft in early

> Australia.

> As a British colony it offered little scope for decorative arts for

> the

> convict women transported to Australia, but there were also women who

> were

> wives of government officials, emancipists, immigrant free settlers

> and, by

> the 1830s when the community had evolved into a wealthy society,

> these

> women of the colony had the time and means for patchwork decorative

> art.

> Like the USA, quilts were continued to be made till the early 20th

> century

> with many exhibited in National Fairs and celebrating local

> events.Many of

> the fine early quilts quilts reflect our British origins.

>

> The quilts exhibited will range from one quilt made by a convict

> women, to

> quilts made by early Governors wives such as Lady Fitzroy, (who left

> behind an unfinished quilt in her work bag when she died when her

> carriage

> crashed into a tree in the grounds of Old Government House in 1847...

> rumour has it that she was eloping!! ).Many early quilts contain

> chintz

> from the 18th century , similar to the early English and East Coast

> American quilts appliqued with broderie perse. There are also

> Australian

> crazy quilts, showing life as it was on the land in Australia in

> 1880-1890's with cicadas, kangaroos and emus and many place names .

> The

> exhibition includes many late 19th century silk quilts in graphic

> patterns

> and also felt nursery rhyme quilts of the 1940's .Some quilts were

> made by

> Australian men during the during WWI and II. One remarkable quilt was

> made

> with toothbrush handles as needles in a Prisoner of War camp in the

> 1940,

> another made for a cricket match in 1896 in Hobart, Tasmania. There

> are

> also waggas, more utilitarian quilts made out of necessity during the

> world

> wars or the depression, which include socks and worn out clothes,

> often

> covered with pretty cretone. Some wonderfully graphic utilitarian

> quilts

> are made from old flannel pyjamas. Something for everyone.

>

> Put the dates in your diary. An exhibition not to be missed, June 5

> to 22

> August, 2000.

>

> The exhibition will be open 7 days a week from 5 June to 22 August

> from 10

> am -4pm. Admission $10 (Aust ) to both houses. Concession $8

>

> A beautifull 96 page publication of the quilts in the exhibition

> with

> full colour photos of the quilts and lots of detail of the fabrics

> (full

> page details) and photos of the makers will be available, published in

>

> conjunction with the exhibition .price $22..

>

> For exhibition enquires contact Old Government House Phone 02

> 9635-8149

>

> Annette Gero can be contacted by e mail; A.Gero@unsw.edu.au

>

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 31 May 2000 22:54:23 -0500

From: Valerie Davis <vpse@globaldialog.com>

Dear Gail,

According to an art history book on my shelf, the Sistine Chapel is late 15th

c. (begun in 1475) and mentions briefly the colored marble inlaid floor. The

geometrical patterns of the floor actually come from a long tradition among

Roman marble workers. The differences in the patterns were very practical, they

were to divide the church space into specific uses. (i.e.. presbytery, altar,

space for the faithful to sit etc.) I have one picture which only poorly shows

the patterns from a distance. Anybody else have a better picture they could

scan? Valerie

Gail E. Hurn wrote:

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 31 May 2000 22:04:46 -0600

From: "Dale Potter" <dpquilts@telusplanet.net>

>Hi everyone!

>I am mostly a lurker, but I do love the conversations that go on on this

>list.

>I am un-lurking to ask a question......

>A couple friends and I make Friendship Quilts (Charity quilts) for the

local

>seniors - delivered 28 to the Extended Care Unit of the hospital on May 9th

>and now are working on lap quilts for the 35 residents at the local Seniors

>Lodge....we made the local newspaper when we delivered the ones on May 9th

>and we asked for donations of time, fabric, batting, etc.....

>Well, yesterday we received 4 LARGE boxes and 2 smaller boxes of goodies.

>Some are the famous fortrel quilt tops (ready to be finished) some fortrel

>blocks ready to be sewn together and then the BEST of all, completed

blocks,

>partial completed blocks and cut squares of 1930's and 40's fabrics....We

>are thinking these are too valuable and/or fragile to make into quilts for

>the seniors (all their possessions are washed by the hospital staff, etc. -

>high temps. etc.).

>Our questions - do we make them into completed quilts and sell them for

>supplies for our Friendship Quilts or do we offer them for sale as they

are?

>I am NOT an expert at dating yet and I think these are feedsack type

>fabrics. I have a scanner and can send a jpeg to someone who can help me

>date them.

>HELP - we want to know what to do with them??!!

>Dale Anne

>Red Barn Inc.,Quilting & Tea Room

>P.O. Box 36

>OYEN, Alberta T0J 2J0 Canada

>(403) 664 - 3274

>dpquilts@telusplanet.net

>

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2000 01:26:31 EDT

From: Demsing@aol.com

Gail,

I don't have a photo or info on the floor of the Sistine Chapel (sure you

could find it in art/architectural history texts) but I know that Europe is

filled with quilt pattern surprises. I spent one summer in London taking

pictures of the tiled front steps of the row houses. Quilt patterns every

one!! It was delightful.

By the way, did anyone catch the Dear Abby or Ann Landers (one of those two)

letter from a family who had an old family afghan (I'm thinking maybe

quilt??) from the 20's that had a swastika pattern in the center. They asked

what to do with it and Ann's reply was "Throw it in the trash!" I hope

someone enlightens her as to the history of that symbol. I'd be curious to

see the afghan (am I spelling that right????)

Lenna in AZ

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2000 02:08:34 EDT

From: BukiQuiltr@aol.com

Talk about lurkdom, I haven't posted for a long time!!!

Gail,

I was the same way on a tour of Italy. We visited so many churches and

cathedrals and here I was looking at the floors ( I was enjoying the artwork

as well ) from St Peters to the small churches in towns all around the

country. As a matter of fact when I was in St. Marks square in Venice, I

asked the person at the counter in the little shop in the church if they had

books or pictures of the floors. He looked at me like I had totally lost my

mind. But he did have some postcards!

I guess it's true that everything is new again at sometime.

Dee Pitthan in Rockford, Il.

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2000 03:05:14 -0400

From: "sue reich" <mreich@ibm.net>

Gail, Valerie and all,

In 1983, I had the privilege of spending two weeks in Rome. My DH loves

the architecture of churches and cathedrals. In Rome, you can find one on

every block. Santa Maria Maggiore was the first church we saw in Rome.

Now, when most people enter such an amazing edifice, their eyes are directed

upward at the magnificent spires and buttresses, stained glass windows,

statuary. My eyes were fixed on the most beautiful mosaic floors I had ever

seen. Quilt patterns were everywhere! Flying Geese, Compass Star, Variable

Star, Orange Peel, intricate cable woven quilt designs, ovals, baby blocks,

you name it and it was there in cut marble. The floors resembled giant

sampler, patchwork quilts. (As a quilter, I struggled to make these same

designs with fabric. I could hardly imagine the difficulty making the same

designs with marble.) I gasped "look at the quilts!" My husband and the

two others we were travelling with thought that my jetlag had done me in.

They didn't see a quilt in sight. I began to feverishly snap pictures of

the floors. One of the church guards came over to me and watch totally

puzzled. He spoke some English and questioned what in the world I was doing

taking pictures of the floors. He has never seen anyone photograph the

floors before.

Over the next two weeks, I photographed the floors in the churches of

throughout Rome. Besides the Vatican, the mosaic floors can be found in

almost every church, the oldest, the smallest and the grandest. San

Giovanni Laterno has the best. Some of the mosaic quilt patterns even

continue up the walls. It is my understanding that churches throughout

Italy have these same mosaic floors, but I can only speak about Rome. I

searched for two weeks for information, in English about them. There was a

school called Cosmati. This is also the name of the design, the

Cosmati-style. I did find a book that addressed this mosaic style and the

school, briefly. I'll send its name in a separate mailing.

In the mid-1980's, Judy Dales made a quilt that closely resembled the

floors of the Roman churches. It was shown in Quilters' Newsletter. She

was living in New Jersey then. I was fortunate to contact her by mail and

share with her the photographs of those floors. A quilt book was published

with more designs and details in the 1990's.

I strongly urge any of you travelling to Italy to take the time to see

them. Seeing them makes you believe, there is nothing new under the sun. I

don't know if there is anything else as old that so closely resembles the

patchwork quilt. There must be a link between the floors and the patchwork

quilts we make and cherish.

sue reich

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 01 Jun 2000 08:32:34 -0400

From: Beth Donaldson <quilts@museum.msu.edu>

I just received my copy of "Down By the Old Mill Stream" in the mail. On

page 21 is a medallion style quilt ca. 1840. The authors suspect the quilt

was "renovated" around 1838. Some of the oldest colonial quilts are thought

to be made from re-cycled pettticoats. We all agree that many, many quilts

have been and still are, being made from recycled clothing and fabric. It

seems by taking old quilts and returning them to clothing we're coming full

circle!

Beth Donaldson

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2000 08:52:29 -0400

From: "Marlene O'Bryant-Seabrook" <marlobs@awod.com>

To: <QHL@cuenet.com>

For several years, I have been fascinated with Harriet Powers and have

done extensive research on her life. My "tribute" quilt, based on her

quilt owned by the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, has been a part of the "A

Communion of the Spirits" Exhibition since it opened in January 1997.

It is presently at the San Diego Historical Society. For a look at both

quilts and some of the cosmological and climatological documentation,

click on20

http://www.awod.com/gallery/rwav/marlobs/powers2.html Be certain to

click on the "Leonid" link.

I'd love to have you click on "Home" and visit the rest of my site.

Marlene in SC

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2000 08:53:58 EDT

From: CToczek@aol.com

I have the book by Ami Simms called Classic Quilts, Patchwork Designs from

Ancient Rome. ISBN# 0-943079-03-9, Mallery Press. 1991

While the book may have been overlooked by the general quilting public (many

patterns represented are common--ninepatch and flying geese) it is

fascinating from a historical point of view. Ami included photos (black and

white) of the original mosaic tile floors from Ostia Antica, an ancient Roman

port town (founded sometime between 338 and 317 B.C.) How strange to see the

patterns I consider to be 300 years modern used in so ancient a setting. The

House of the Fishes, 4th century A.D. shows the remains of a pinwheel mosaic

tile floor. Who might have been the first person/persons to transfer those

tile patterns to fabric? Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

Carla

West Point

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2000 09:58:40 EDT

From: SSQuilt@aol.com

Hi,

I have some quilt kits that belong to a neighbor. She would like to sell them

and I want to make sure she gets a fair price Does anyone have an idea to

their value.

1. Bucilla No. 3376 Regency. I think this one is from the 1940's. It's

slightly stained, partially completed, has all of the Peri-lusta floss and

the instructions.

2. Paragon 01190 Oak Leaf , king size. I'm not sure about the age on this

one. The fabric looks to be the 40's but no sure. Has the Peri-lusta floss

kit, instructions and is in nice condition.

3. Progress Applique kit 1543 Priscilla, I'm going to guess 60's for the age

on this one. It's all complete with the gingham applique fabrics , etc.

4. Bucilla, Baltimore Album cross stitch. I think this is from the 70's. King

size with the thread pack included.

Thanks,

Gay Bomers

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 01 Jun 2000 23:59:12 +1000

From: nomad1@ibm.net

Dear All,

I do hope that some of you QHL'ers are hopefully coming to

Australia for the Olympics and hopefully coming earlier, so

that you can savor our beautiful country : )

I too, like Lorraine would like to encourage you to attend

the exhibition held at Old Government House and Experiment

Farm Cottage in Parramatta. As I live in Parramatta, please

do let me know if you are visiting as I would love to extend

my hospitality and guide services : ) to quilt shops, sights

etc. It will be a super treat to meet more QHL'ers : )

The quilts are positively drop dead gorgeous-I fell in love

with this beautiful broderie perse quilt with fabulous work.

Positively droolesome to the max. I am happy to hear that it

is found in the publication to go with the exhibition! : )

Yes, there will also be a publication to be released with

the exhibition..on the history of antique Australian quilts

with lots of colour plates and full colour plates of all

the quilts and of the details of the fabrics.

.It will be about $22 US, selling at cost price whilst the

exhibition is on but more expensive afterwards (RRP is

$35)..

Dr Annette Gero who is a biochemist-an associate professor,

to be exact is also a serious quilt maniac, who caught the

quilt bug when she went to harvard as a research fellow 26

years ago. She returned home and started researching Aussie

quilts and thus lit the flame Down Under. She has also

written in AQSG's Uncoverings. So here is a wonderful

opportunity too see some of her wonderful collection as well

as those belonging to The National Trust etc.

A little bit of history from the exhibition details for

those interested :

Old Government House, Parramatta, Sydney (which was the

first residence of the Governors of the Colony of

Australia), will house about 60 historic quilts, all with

Australian histories or associations. Although there were

far fewer quilts made in Australian than in the USA,

quilting and patchwork was an integral part of women's

needlecraft in early Australia.

The Australian quilts are quite different to American

quilts but equally

spectacular! As a British colony, started in 1788,

Australia was founded

as a penal colony, after the cessation of transportation of

convicts from

England to America in 1783. It offered little scope for

decorative arts

for the convict women transported to Australia, but there

were also women who were wives of government officials,

emancipists, immigrant free settlers and, by the 1830s when

the community had evolved into a wealthy society, these

women of the colony had the time and means for patchwork

decorative art. Like the USA, quilts were continued to be

made till the early 20th century with many exhibited in

National Fairs and celebrating local events.Many of the fine

early quilts quilts reflect the British origins of

Australia.

Hope to see you there! Hiranya from Parramatta, Sydney,

Australia : )

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2000 12:12:46 -0400

From: "pepper cory" <pepcory@bmd.clis.com>

For what it's worth: I've thought for a long time that the flowering of

geometric patchwork in England (and thus the US-) might be directly related

to two factors: all those Roman mosaics uncovered in the 1700 and 1800's in

the English countryside plus the trinkets and gifts (like little mosaic

boxes from the Far East) brought back by British soldiers stationed

overseas. Archaeology as a scientific endeavor--as we know it today--didn't

exist in the 1700's. The uncovering of ancient artifacts was rather a

gentlemen's sport. Something along the lines of A) find the mosaic floor B)

invite your friends to see it C) maybe charge a pence or two for 'viewing'

the mosaic and D) cover it back up or dig it up and cart it to a museum. I

think that British needleworkers rather suddenly were exposed to a great

many designs they hadn't considered before for patchwork. The tiles floors

at Fishborne (outside Chichester, discovered only in the 1960's) ) and the

mosaic floors on display at Coldchester castle look to me like quilt

ancestors! Is it too far a stretch of the imagination to think there's a

relation here? Today we see it in Judy Mathieson's prizewinning "Bristol

Stars" quilt, inspired by the tile floor of Bristol Cathedral.

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2000 13:17:26 EDT

From: JBaumg5539@aol.com

To: QHL@cuenet.com

Subject: Re Sixtine Chapel mosaic floors and Christian Lacroix

Message-ID: <a9.6510f52.2667f4a6@aol.com>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset"US-ASCII"

Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Gail ,

I know of a WONDERFUL book published by the Bibiotheque Nationale here in

Paris wich is called Sols :St Marc de Venise by Andre Bruyere(floors :St

Marco of Venice ) .He is a photographer who got permission to go and make

photos of the floors of the St Marco church .He explained when the book came

out that he was on a stool and someone was moping the floor so all the colors

would show really well . There a lot of different floors and he says no one

ever notices them because there are so many people in the church .To each

picture on the left side of the book ,there is a text by a writer on the

right side wich the author thought corresponded well with the picture (IMHO

needless ....) But there are lots of different patterns shown in different

angles .It is a very expensive art book but the pictures are really gorgeous

! After it came out there was a real fad for quilts made from these pictures

here .

Alan ,

I think you do not know about the Lacroix quilt .First of all let me point

out that he did it in a tradition that has lived here in europe since the

middle ages were an artist makes a drawing and a crafter interprets it in his

own medium .Hence all the wonderful tapestries like the Dame a la Licorne

Then I also seem to remember that Lacroix was asked by an association for

disabled children to draw a quilt .(some of ladies in the association are

quilters ) Then the drawing was divided into small squares wich could be

bought by anyone for $8 and had to be sent back finished in any technique

.The only compulsary thing was that it had to be made in red . All the pieces

were then sewn together by a group of volunteers .All the names of the

participants were in a hat ,drawn and a happy (very happy ) lady won it .It

is 4mX4m and stunning !!!!! .The money went to the association Lacroix is

one of the only persons here who always points out that the inheriatge of

women of the past is invaluable .He has done a lot for textile crafts and for

the revival of all the traditions ,like boutis etc... He does not despise so

called ladies handwork.On the contrary he always points out how inspirational

it always has been to him .

I like both the man and his work ,do I sound like it ?? VBG

Daniele in Paris

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2000 15:28:56 EDT

From: QuiltFixer@aol.com

In a message dated 6/1/00 11:29:24 AM Pacific Daylight Time, QuiltFixer

writes:

<< Subj: Re: QHL:

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2000 17:30:06 EDT

From: Kittencat3@aol.com

Maybe. However, a lot of these patterns had been on church floors for

centuries. The one place where everyone was expected to go was church, so

it's entirely possible that these patterns were known to needleworkers long

before the antiquarian boom of the 18th century.

Also, there are several suspiciously block-like embroidery designs in a

Germany needlework pattern book from the early 1600s, including one that

looks exactly like the Star of Lemoyne. These patterns could be used for

embroidery, lacemaking, quilting...just about any sort of needle art.

Finally, several patchwork designs were in use before the 18th century.

Split Rails shows up in painting by Luca Signorelli in the National Gallery

in Washington, Triangles was used by Buddhist monks in the 9th century CE,

and there's Phillipe de Vignuelles's letter of 1507 describing the tapestry

he pieced from bias cut patches (either strips or diamonds). There may well

be a connection between Roman remains and the sudden flowering of patchwork,

but it might also be attributable to better technology that allowed for

precision cutting of pieces...

Lisa Evans

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2000 17:37:34 EDT

From: KareQuilt@aol.com

New website for kids that talks about quilting

www.americaslibrary.gov

Click on "Join America at Play"

On left hand side of screen click on "Stitch A Quilt"

If you want to send a quilt postcard to someone, paste this address in your

tool bar (whatever its called <g>) and then follow directions.

http://www.americaslibrary.gov/pages/jp_quilt_scrap_pc_send.html

Karen Alexander

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 2 Jun 2000 08:50:28 -0400

From: "Wykes Family" <wykesfcn@tdi.net>

>

> Lots of folks had a go at silk manufacturing in the 1800's. One such

> operation that went bust was in Belding, Michigan. Anyone remember seeing

> Belding/Corticelli on an old wooden spool? The mulberry trees couldn't

> survive the Michigan winters (neither could I-).

> Pepper Cory************************

Dear Pepper and QHL:

Red mulberry used in silk worm production grows well in MI. I have several

bushes in my own yard. If you look in old newspapers ads in Michigan

papers during the 1830's you will find many ads for these type of bushes,

so this wasn't the problem. Silk production is labor intensive and never

caught on here, except for one large mill near (I think) Mount Clemens. My

museum curator husband said he would find out more today about this little

blip of Michigan history and I'll report back to the list, if anyone is

interested.

Debbie Wykes in Monroe, MI

(I grew up around the corner from Belding, MI)

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 02 Jun 2000 17:36:42 -0500

From: Marcia Kaylakie <marciark@ev1.net>

Hi All, I need the collective wisdom of the group on this. This afternoon,

I was browsing in a local bookstore and stumbled across Old Quilts and

Coverlets by Florence Peto. The page with the publication dates on it said

"First published in 1949", and the seller listed it as a first edition

(with a matching pricetag). Does anyone know if that is the way this book

is shown as dated? I can find no later publication date on or in the book.

I would like to know before I shell out for this one. Thanks, Marcia

Kaylakie

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 2 Jun 2000 20:09:30 EDT

From: Demsing@aol.com

Marica,

I have an "OP" copy of Florence Peto's American Quilts and Coverlets also.

It's red with gold embossed wind blown tulips block on the front (wish I had

the paper jacket - I do have an OP of the Carrie Hall's Romance of the

Patchwork Quilt in America with the jacket - 1935). I got both books at a

second hand book store in Riverside, CA which did carry some fairly pricey

first editions of various texts. I paid only $5.95 for Peto's book (left

the penciled price in it) and $8.95 for Hall's book. I think it was more

expensive because it had a jacket!!

I don't know what your dealer is asking but I know both texts are getting

hard to find. I just lucked out on these. I don't know if there have been

"recent" reprints of either book, but I always love to get an original

printing if possible. Old books are always wonderul and sometimes full of

surprises. My Patchwork copy had several cardboard templates and clippings

of patterns from old newspapers in it. An added bonus! Good luck to you

and hope the book is not tooooo overpriced.

Lenna in AZ

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 2 Jun 2000 20:12:19 EDT

From: Demsing@aol.com

Ooops,

Marcia, I forgot to say that my Peto also says "First published in 1949" and

I can't find anyother date in it either.

Lenna

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 2 Jun 2000 21:58:04 -0400

From: "Phyllis Twigg" <ptwigg@radix.net>

Tomorrow the Annapolis Quilt Guild Show "Quilts By the Bay" opens and runs

through Sunday. The show is held at the Annapolis Senior High School on Riva

Road in Annapolis, Maryland. Hours are 10 am till 5 pm Saturday and 11 am

till 5 pm Sunday. Follow the special signs posted along Riva Road.

This 18th annual show features demonstrations, large merchants mall, raffle

quilt, AQS certified quilt appraisals, and lots of quilts on display.

The invitational quilts exhibited feature 3 exquisite Hawaiian quilts from

the 1940-50 period.

Phyllis Twigg

I've been listening to my Anna Russell CD tonight while playing on the

computer. For you youngsters who don't know who Anna Russell is: In the

mid 20th century this lovely, talented, failed opera singer traveled this

country giving 1-woman concerts doing satire of all sorts of music. Sort of

like Victor Borge, the great Dane, although she didn't get involved in any

poultry marketing.... Some of you will get that reference.

Anyway, the first cut of this CD, recorded in NYC in 1953 is an introduction

to the concert given by the "Women's Club President." After she flubs the

introduction for today's singer she announces that at the lecture series for

next month, Mrs. Prendergast, one of their own members will be giving a

special talk, for free, on how to make patchwork quilts from old skirts --

to be followed by a very expensive talk by someone from Vogue who will

speak on how to make a skirt from old quilts!

This brought a tremendous long laugh from the Town Hall audience.

I had forgotten this line and nearly fell on the floor with laughter. How

timely!

There is nothing new under the sun, is there?!

Judy in Ringoes, NJ

judygrow@blast.net

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 2 Jun 2000 22:05:03 -0700 (PDT)

From: Cindy Brick <brickworksinc@yahoo.com>

Hi all,

I passed on yesterday's QHL to Ami Simms, since I

knew she continues to have a deep and abiding interest

in mosaics and other floor 'quilt' designs. Her

response follows -- but I need to mention just a few

little bits first. My own interest in this subject

came from exposure to Old Dutch Master Paintings --

the tiled floors in these are often

quilt-pattern-related.

RE: The Peto book. I have a copy, too, but paid a

heck of a lot more than under $10 for it! (You lucky

girl...) Mine is greeny-patterned hardback, no paper

cover, with 'Historic Quilts by Florence Peto' printed

in a black rectangle on front, and on spine. Inside

cover is printed Rob Peter to Pay Paul (or Orange

Peel) design in black ferny print/green solid. 1939,

The American Historical Company, INc. New York. No

sign of any other publisher or printing date -- I

believe this is actually the first edition of

Florence's book.

Cindy Brick

Now here's what Ami Simms has to say for herself:

Interesting stuff. Thanks for the forward. That would

explain the

inquiry I

got yesterday about Classic Quilts: Patchwork Designs

From Ancient

Rome. I'm

totally out (much to the dismay of my quilting buddies

in Italy who

would

very much like copies, since they are THEIR design

heritage!) but if

you'd

like to share with your fellow posters, I believe

Quilter's Rule

International has copies left. (quilter@setnet.net or

www.quiltersrule.com or

800 343-8671 or 414 514-2000 or fax: 414-514-2100)

I also found the discussion of Cosmati mosaics in

Italian churches most

interesting. These "quilty" designs are found

throughout Italy, and

other

European cities as well. A few years back I led a tour

of quilters to

Italy

and we church-hopped chasing Cosmati floors from

Venice to Rome! What

fun!

One of the most spectacular examples is in the Duomo

in Siena. We

happened to

visit the one day a year they take the carpets up off

the floors! In

Rome,

don't miss the floors at San Clemente, known also for

it's several

"layers"

of churches dating back to an ancient temple to

Mythra. There is even a

drawing made by one of the priests of the floors that

of course is not

for

sale, nor will they loan it to berserk quilting

tourists no matter how

much

they beg. Been there; tried that. And Santa Maria in

Cosmedin (the

church

with the "mouth of truth"). And, well there are

lots....

Venice has some spectacular floors in St. Mark's, and

in a book store

around

the corner from the church is the only place I've ever

found THE book

of

Cosmati photos. I couldn't find the English version,

but got one in

French:

SOLS Saint-Marc Venise by Andre Bruyere.

ISBN:2-7433-0158-9. The images

are

mouth-watering and put any slides I've ever taken

(which usually

include my

own shoes) to shame.

I've often thought of writing a book on the designs

and have a few

contacts

in Italy, England, and here in the States of people

who are interested

in

studying them and re-creating them in fabric. Perhaps

this is the time

to

expand the search and start playing. Maybe we should

take another

trip! If

readers of QHL are interested in working with me,

please have them

contact

me. I am hip deep in another book at the moment and

can't do much until

winter, but we can get a list going and explore some

possibilities

perhaps.

If you'd like do be a part of it, subscribe to:

Cosmati-Quilts-subscribe@egroups.com

Ami Simms

www.mallerypress.com

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 3 Jun 2000 07:46:17 EDT

From: Windquilt@aol.com

Hi Marcia and everyone,

As a former bookseller, I was going to say that the notation "First published

in..." is usually found in a reprint and not a first edition. But then I

checked www.bibliofind.com, and they have 8 copies listed, all dated 1949,

almost all described as first editions, and ranging in price from $15 for a

reading copy (not so good condition) to $80. Most were priced $25-$50.

Nancy Blake

south of Boston

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