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I'd like to know the magazine that discussed antique quilt prices.  Are

there other (easily accessible) sources for quilt prices?  I often wonder

when I see quilts whether the price asked for is reasonable for what the

quilt is, so I'd like to know of some actual sales prices for comparison -

the best I can do is compare dealers' asking prices.  How often do quilt

dealers sell at the asking price versus discount?  Do prices for the same

type quilt vary much from region to region, and what regions are high-priced

versus low-priced?

Peggy, enjoying balmy NC before the winter chill arrives later today

-----Original Message-----

From: Nancy Roberts <robertsn@norwich.net>

To: QHL@cuenet.com <QHL@cuenet.com>

Date: Friday, February 12, 1999 8:51 AM

Subject: QHL: QHL-vintage quilt prices

>A collector loaned me a copy of one of his special interest magazines that

>had a feature about the prices of antique quilts at auction. The gist was

>that vintage quilts are fetching lower prices today than they were a few

>years ago. The author offered the decline of old quilts as "trendy"

decorator

>items as one possible reason. That made me try to recall if I've seen as

many

>quilts in room shots for magazines like Country Living and Country Home

>lately. I'm not sure. He also cited awareness of the value of family quilts

>and the availability of them on the market.I'm curious if those who attend

>auctions have noticed if quilts tend to bring less today? I'm not even sure

>how one would compare this.

>

>At our recent guild meeting a woman showed a lovely album quilt complete

with

>signatures purchased at auction in western NY for $1100. It was in good

>condition (some soiling) and heavily quilted. The signatures were

>authenticated as those of church women in a small village in central NY. So

a

>representative from the village historical society attended the auction and

>was the successful bidder, thus bringing the quilt "home." It's thought

that

>the quilt was made for a pastor at the time he left the community for

another

>assignment. I love to see treasures like these. I'll be interested in any

>comments about the value of antique quilts. Nancy

>

>P.S. I can't find the collectible magazine right now to tell you the title

>and author, but will try if anyone is interested.

>

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Date: Fri, 12 Feb 1999 11:29:49 -0600 (CST)

From: magee@AXP.WINNEFOX.ORG

To: "Peggy O'Connor" <mnoc@brinet.com>

Cc: Nancy Roberts <robertsn@norwich.net>, QHL@cuenet.com

Subject: Re: QHL: Re: QHL-vintage quilt prices

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I'm interested in info on quilt prices as well.  I certainly see that the

prices here in Wisconsin vary drastically and are very often not

connected to the item as far as I can see. Most of the dealers that i see

don't know much about textiles and only have a quilt or two.   The prices

seem to be lower than other places I've been, but it is much harder to get 19th century quilts

here.  If there is a resource for the upper midwest I'd love to know it. 

Laurie in cold(30) and windy Oshkosh(it was 62 yesterday!) 

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

Laurie Magee                    |       Email:  Magee@winnefox.org

Oshkosh Public Library          |       Phone:  (920)236-5207

Oshkosh, WI 54901-4985          |       Fax:    (920)236-5228

_________________________________________________

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Date: Fri, 12 Feb 1999 13:16:27 +0400

From: Xenia Cord <xecord@netusa1.net>

To: QHL@cuenet.com

Subject: QHL: Pricing antique quilts

Message-ID: <36C3F161.2389@netusa1.net>

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I think we cannot expect to see standard pricing in antique quilts, for

a lot of reasons.  One is that each quilt is unique (we know that,

right?) and deserves its own price.  These are not like the imports,

"$39.95, any size" at your local Walmart.  Second, the manner in which

the dealer acquires the quilt may have some effect on the price -

consigned?  bought at auction? bought from another dealer?  bought from

the family?  The expenses incurred by the dealer include not only the

price of the item, but time and travel, vendor space at a show or mall

space in a shop, taxes and licenses, and a host of other costs.  (Here

in Indiana we pay inventory tax on every item in inventory on March 1,

every year).

In different parts of the country, the cost of doing business is

different.  City locations are costlier than rural ones; major antique

shows and quilt shows are much more expensive than guild shows.

Knowledgeable dealers put the price within reach of their customers,

given the cost factors above, and a reasonable profit.  After all, we

are in business to make money, no matter how fond we are of the stuff we

sell!  Knowledgeable dealers also have some background in the

merchandise they sell, and are willing to discuss quilt style,

condition, age, rarity, and other technical aspects with the buyer.

IMHO, if you as a buyer are not well grounded in this background as

well, then you should shop where you have confidence in the dealer.

A final variable - the comparative terms we use when discussing price:

higher, lower, value, reasonable, less, more.  These terms mean

different things to different people.  Nancy's post earlier cited a

church signature quilt that sold for $1100.  Is that a reasonable

price?  Some may think so and some may not.  Sometimes reasonable is

determined by what's in the checkbook!

Xenia

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Date: Fri, 12 Feb 1999 14:42:08 EST

From: Xroadclown@aol.com

To: mnoc@brinet.com, robertsn@norwich.net, QHL@cuenet.com

Subject: Re: QHL: Re: QHL-vintage quilt prices

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I guess it makes a difference if you really like the quilt or love it what one

would consider expensive.  It's like good chocolate.  some of us will pay a

lot for the best, other's like hershey!

melanie

(any chocolate will do)

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Date: Sat, 13 Feb 1999 07:58:47 +1100

From: nomad1 <nomad1@ibm.net>

Dear All,

Some time ago I came across a book showing Antique Tumbling Block quilts

or baby Blocks as some call them. For the world of me I just cannot

remember the name. If any of you have any books on this subject, could

you please advise the title, author etc so that I can track them down.

Many thanks in anticipation,

Hiranya from Oz :>

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