AboutDARWIN D. BEARLEY Expertise I am considered by many to be an expert on AMERICAN ANTIQUE QUILTS.
My real expertise lies with ANTIQUE OHIO AMISH QUILTS.
I can help with all aspects of identification, dating, repair and cleaning. I also buy, and broker antique quilts.
Experience Over the past 30 odd years, I have bought and sold ANTIQUE QUILTS for a living. I also have a personal collection of Antique Ohio Amish Quilts.
I have sold to the Smithsonian, the LA County Museum of Art, the movie "What Lies Beneath" starring Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer and to Catherine Denuuve.
My Antique Ohio Amish Quilt Collection has been exhibited at The Museum of Our American Heritage, The Akron Art Institute, The Canton Art Museum, Wright State University and The Quilt National in Cincinnati, Ohio. They have also been exhibited in Germany and France and recently at the Quilt Expo in Houston, Texas. Many of the quilts have been published in various books, magazines and calendars. One was even pictured in National Geographic Magazine.
Recently a book on my collection was published by Bernina Sewing Machine Co. of Zurich entitled, "Antique Ohio Amish Quilts, The Darwin D. Bearley Collection"
Question I have a breadspread dating back to 1841 excelent condition made by S. Houseman from trexlertown,Pa. Its red,green and grey has tasels on it red,green. Would you know something about it? If its worth something! Waiting to hear from you. Thank you. Liz
Answer Liz,
Sounds like you have a Jacquard Coverlet.
Is it made in 2 section and sewn down the middle?
If so you do although some later ones were made in one piece.
These were made on Jacquard looms which had a kind of computerized system to make the designs. Of course the were not electric but worked by using a card that had holes in it. These holes determined the design.
There are several good books that deal with coverlets and their makers.
You can find most of them at your local library. If they don't have any, ask them to borrow them from another library for you.
A good on is, Checklist of American Coverlet Weavers by John W Heisey or try American Woven Coverlets by Carol Strickler.
There are many others. I think your find the subject very interesting.
Oh, by the way, they do have value but condition is very important to most collectors. Prices can range from $50.00 - $5000.
