If a quilter mentions to anyone else that she/he makes quilts, no doubt, the other party will say that their grandmother or aunt or mother also used to make quilts. Many of these items are no longer within families. People die and let’s face it, material goods often “live” far beyond our lifetimes, and eventually find a new home.

What happens when family members think of old quilts as something just to get out of their hair? Well, usually, the family, unknowingly or not, calls in a “picker” or an antiques dealer who buys a job lot of whatever. and proceeds to disburse household goods.

Most often, dealers are unaware of the history of every item that passes their hands, and do not know, or take the time to find out the monetary value of them. Keep in mind that values fluctuate a great deal based on workmanship, condition, and desirability.

Collectors are drawn to certain items for very different reasons. They may like to collect pieces from a certain time period, or may like certain colors, or place value on an item that seems to be unique to them.

Twice within a short time, I have been contacted by family members who are related to some of the people who made quilts that are now in my collection. They wish to reclaim items that they got rid of without another thought, that I bought from a dealer, and that I have taken the time to research and/or publish. Keep in mind that these same items were of NO value and of NO consequence to the family before now. But since I have bothered to elevate their status by paying attention to them in a meaningful way, suddenly, these items are demanded back, free of charge, to boot! I am mystified by this attitude.

Truly, I believe that a dedicated collector oftentimes values family material goods far more than the family itself. Collectors know how to care for items in their collection to preserve them in the best way possible and not allow antiques to be used, or in the case of special textiles, bebuying generic viagra safe by the unknowing who do not have any information about care, display, or storage of textiles.

I feel no obligation to “return” items that I have acquired legally. After I have spent so much time with them, a part of myself has gone into their study and I feel a real connection to the quilter and her work. Some day, with any luck, these items will find another “good home.” Any thoughts?

Patricia Cummings

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