Auction Finds - blog by Sherry Howard

Today I stumbled upon - and then spent nearly an hour reading - Sherry Howard's Auction Finds blog. Ms. Howard, who also has taken quilting classes, describes different treasures she finds at local auctions such as Jet Magazines, samplers, artwork by black women including Lois Mailou Jones, and more! If you have a moment, put in your bid at the Auction Finds blog. Enjoy!

Gee's Bend Play, PNWAA Quilts in Seattle

The play, "Gee's Bend," directed by Karen Lund, is now on stage at the Taproot Theatre in Seattle until February 28, 2009. A special discussion Feb 18 with Gee's Bend quilters is now sold out. The discussion on Feb 21 has tickets available. The sistah quilters of the Pacific Northwest African American Quilters guild will have a post-play discussion on Feb 25. There will also be an auction of PNWAA quilts, on displayed at the theatre, on Sunday, March 8. (Photo of actors Geoffery Simmons and Samantha Rund by Erik Stuhaug.) Enjoy!

Obama Kanga Fabrics - on eBay

Thanks to the special Black Threads reader who sent me a link last week to Obama Kanga Fabric on eBay (item 180312439834). The final bid for two panels was $61 + shipping. The winner receives fabric measuring 126" x 42." This Kanga fabric from East Africa bears the Swahili inscription: "Hongera Barack Obama. Upendo na amani ametujalia mungu." From the auction description, the phrase means "Congratulations Barack Obama. Love and Peace have been granted to us by God." Enjoy!

Obama Quilt on eBay - Fundraiser

This double bed-size jeans-based Obama logo quilt is now on eBay. There's 21 current bidders. Auction ends on Oct 16 around noon PST. I have no idea who the quilter is, but thought you'd like to see this quilt (item # 230299439798). Enjoy!

Photo of Brazilian Girl with Knitted Top sold for $760!

Ok - this is my last eBay auction post this week (smile!). Isn't this a lovely photo of a Black girl from Rio de Janeiro? Her name wasn't recorded on the photograph. This CDV or or carte de visite is by Alberto Henschel (1827 - 1882), a German photographer, who probably took this photograph sometime between 1870s and 1882, when he had a studio in Rio de Janeiro. The photo measures 2 1/2 inches by 4 inches. Carte de visites were popular in the late 1800s and were used much like a calling card or today's business card. These small, sturdy photos were collected (like baseball cards!) and could also be mailed.

I wonder if the portrait sitter knitted or crocheted her own blouse. The cowrie shells in her hair are stylish even today! You can click on the photo to see it close up. This eBay auction (item #330229125214) started at $44.77 on April 17. The ending price yesterday afternoon - $760! Enjoy!

Knitting Sojourner Truth CDV sold for $685 on eBay

You've seen this image of Sojourner Truth holding knitting needles with yarn. This specific image was offered at a starting auction price of a mere $0.99 on April 12. It was a 10-day auction. Thirty-seven bids later.... the final, winning bid was $685. (eBay item 360042526566) What's interesting is that this CDV or carte de visite was not even in mint condition. This one had the top cut off! Personally, I continue to look for a CDV of Mrs. Ricks, The Queen's Liberian Visitor by photographers Elliott & Fry to be offered for sale! Enjoy!

2008 Iowa Caucus Autographed Quilt - Sold on Ebay for $1,225

Did you see the recent eBay auction for an autographed quilt featuring blocks for seven Democratic candidates? The proceeds, according to the auction text, were to support the Warren County (IA) Democratic Central Committee.

The quilt measured 60" X 67". The nine 16" blocks were cut from Presidential campaign t-shirts. The seven of eight SIGNED US Presidential candidates highlighted in the quilt include: Joe Biden, Hilary Clinton, Chris Dodd, John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich, Barack Obama and Bill Richardson. The only block not signed, according to the auction text, was from Senator Mike Gravel.

The bidding started at $20. Fifteen bidders later, the electronic gavel fell on the final bid of $1,225! See, there is a market for campaign quilts! (Source: eBay item number 260199894440, auction ended Jan 8, 2008) Enjoy!

Estate of LUTHER VANDROSS auction, no quilts

The Estate of Luther Vandross is being auctioned by Dawson & Ney Auctioneers on Dec 5 & 6. You can see the items on eBay. There are 1,035 items available. The nearest to a quilt I could locate is a group of Pratesi Bedlinens, with an opening bid of $150.

Anyone Can Fly Foundation auction in NY

Will you be in New York on October 14, 2007? Do stop by the ACA Gallery for the Anyone Can Fly Foundation Auction and Exhibition. Works by Dr. Samella Lewis - the 2007 foundation Scholar's Lifetime Achievement awardee.

If you're in the Washington DC area Sept 26, you can congratulate Sistah Quilter Faith Ringgold. The Congressional Wives of the Black Caucus honors her with an award at the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

African American quilts on eBay

Be honest - do you sometimes wonder if the eBay auctions for African American-made quilts are REALLY made by black folks? I do enjoy looking at the varied quilt patterns, colors, fabrics and designs. Over on the right-side column is a table that conveniently lists the most popular quilt categories on eBay as well as the trend in African American quilt auctions. I've also added a few quilt links to interesting auctions for Mammy quilts, African fabrics, and Underground Railroad quilts. Click on a couple links, what do you think?

Harriet Powers stereoview sold $203.50

eBay! A RARE image of Harriet Powers' Bible Quilt on display at the 1895 Atlanta Cotton Expo recently came up for auction on eBay. Can you image - this is the same Expo that Booker T. Washington spoke at... so he MUST have walked the hallways and seen this quilt. This is also the same Expo where AME Bishop Henry Turner showcased his collection of Liberian artifacts, including a certain quilt handstitched by Martha Ann Ricks.

The stereoview of the Harriet Powers' quilt was taken by the B. W. Kilburn Company - image #10688 Quilt Exhibit, Interior of Negro Building (eBay item #150083578933 - it's the last one in the photo.) The final auction price for the lot... $203.50... worth every penny!

1830s Slave Quilt - $40k - $60k

I LOVE watching Antiques Roadshow. Each season there seems to be old quilts brought in for appraisal. Here's a photo of one slave quilt made in the 1830s. The quilt was from a Mr. Polk's estate. Mr. Polk was a slave owner. The current quilt owner, Danny from Walterboro, South Carolina, had also purchased inventory documentation from Mr. Polk's estate as well to substantiate the quilts provenance. The Nancy Druckman of Sotheby's in New York examined the quilt in a 2004 episode... and estimated the auction value to be from $40,000 - $60,000!

Do you have a piece that you'd like to have the Antiques Roadshow appraise? Tickets for the 2007 have JUST opened for online requests. The show will visit: Baltimore on June 16, Orlando on June 30, San Antonio on July 14, Louisville on July 28, Spokane on Aug 4, and Las Vegas on Aug 18. Gotta go see what's up in the attic.....

Something Warm on eBay

The rare catalog, Something to Keep You Warm, by Roland Freeman is now on eBay... starting price is $300. I've only seen a copy of this catalog when Roland's exhibit Communion of the Spirits was on display at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC. The catalog was behind glass. Do have a look at the aution (I have no idea who the seller is) ... it's rare that you'll see this catalog!

Quilt Sales - Bull's Eye!

Every now and again, I wonder what African American-made quilts are up for sale. This morning, I came across Betsey Telford's Rocky Mountain Quilts website. The Maine shop sells many types of quilts: 18th, 19th, and 20th century quilts, Christmas quilts, crazy quilts, folk art quilts and more! The African American-made "Bull's Eye" quilt (c. 1917, approx. 60" x 80") at left is for sale for $5,400.