06-001; Edith B. Crumb

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

1932
Detroit News Staff Photographer, Detroit, Michigan

Edith B. Crumb, photo from The Detroit News, August 11, 1932. From The Detroit News archives. Courtesy of Susan Salser.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012) and The Detroit News.

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06-005; Quilts on display

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

1935
Photographer: Nagel, Detroit News Staff, Detroit, Michigan

View of The Detroit News' 1935 quilt show. Chicago quilter Mary Gasperik's "Tulip Basket" quilt can be seen mounted at the end of the dsiplay rack in the photo's center left.
Photo taken by Nagel, staff photographer, 1935. From The Detroit News archives. Courtesy of Susan Salser.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012) and The Detroit News.

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06-007; Quilts on display

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

1935
Photographer: Nagel, Detroit News Staff, Detroit, Michigan

Another view of the 1935 quilt show held at Detroit's Naval Armory.
Photo taken by Nagel, staff photographer, 1935. From The Detroit News archives. Courtesy of Susan Salser.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012) and The Detroit News.

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06-013; Quilts on display

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

1938
Detroit News Staff Photographer, Detroit, Michigan

View of an aisle showing quilts on display at the 1938 Detroit News quilt show drawing 5,000 visitors every three hours. The show was held at the United States Naval Armory in Detroit.
Photo taken by an unidentified staff photographer, 1938. From The Detroit News archives. Courtesy of Susan Salser.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012) and The Detroit News.

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06-014; Quilts on display

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

1938
Detroit News Staff Photographer, Detroit, Michigan

Another view of quilts on display at the 1938 Detroit News quilt show. In her 1939 New Year's Day column, Edith summarized, "The biggest quilt show ever held was the high spot of the year with nearly 2,000 quilts on display and over 88,000 visitors to see them."
Photo taken by an unidentified staff photographer, 1938. From The Detroit News archives. Courtesy of Susan Salser.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012) and The Detroit News.

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06-015; 1938 Detroit News Quilt Club Show Silhouette

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

1938
Photographer: Unknown

The silhouette of the seated quilter is Detroit News pattern #1 15-12-14-28, the motif Edith Crumb selected to be the icon of The Detroit News Quilt Shows. Devoted quilters, among them Mary Gasperik, transformed "our little patchwork-quilt lady" into an applique quilt pattern and made quilts which, although appearing to be 'colonial' designs, are actually very specifically Detroit News Quilt Club Corner quilts.
From The Detroit News archives. Courtesy of Susan Salser.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012) and The Detroit News.

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06-002; The Busy Six Quilt Club

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

1933
Photographer: Burgert, Detroit News Staff, Detroit, Michigan

Members of The Busy Six Quilt Club are quilting on their Dresden Plate quilt, mounted in its quilting frame, while the sixth member looks on quite pleased with the progress.
Photo taken by Burgert, staff photographer, 1933. From The Detroit News archives. Courtesy of Janet Finley.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012) and The Detroit News.

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06-003; Mrs. John F. Draftz Quilting Party

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

1933
Photographer: Barlow, Detroit News Staff, Detroit, Michigan

Mrs. John F. Draftz's quilting party in Carleton, Michigan, was the fifth local quilt club to be featured, and made its appearance in the paper on November 8, 1933.
Photo taken by Barlow, staff photographer, 1933. From The Detroit News archives. Courtesy of Janet Finley.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012) and The Detroit News.

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06-004; Virginia Schemanske and Edith B. Crumb

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

1933
Detroit News Staff Photographer, Detroit, Michigan

Assisting Virginia Schemanske is Edith B. Crumb (standing), who writes The Detroit News' Quilt Club Corner columns.
Photo taken by an unidentified staff photographer, 1933. From The Detroit News archives. Courtesy of Janet Finley.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012) and The Detroit News.

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06-006; Vistors to The Detroit News Quilt Club Show

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

1935
Detroit News Staff Photographer, Detroit, Michigan

A photograph similar to one featured in the November 3, 1935, The Detroit News Sunday Rotogravure section under the caption, "Eagerly Awaited for a Whole Year: The Detroit News Quilt Club Show which was held at the Naval Amory and was attended by thousands and thousands of interested quilters."
Photo taken by an unidentified staff photographer, 1935. From The Detroit News archives. Courtesy of Janet Finley.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012) and The Detroit News.

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06-008; Vistors to The Detroit News Quilt Club Show

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

1937
Photographer: Mazmanian, Detroit News Staff, Detroit, Michigan

"Thousands View These Winning Quilts At Naval Armory" was the headline accompanying the photograph of opening day, April 16, 1937, at the fourth quilt show held by The Detroit News.
Photo taken by Mazmanian, staff photographer, 1937. From The Detroit News archives. Courtesy of Janet Finley.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012) and The Detroit News.

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06-009; Vistors to The Detroit News Quilt Club Show

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

1937
Photographer: Herrmann, Detroit News Staff, Detroit, Michigan

Another photograph of the 1937 quilt show held by The Detroit News. Note the narrow aisles, the pinned on labels, the crowded display - a far cry from today's quilt exhibits.
Photo taken by Herrmann, staff photographer, 1937. From The Detroit News archives. Courtesy of Janet Finley.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012) and The Detroit News.

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06-010; Mrs. Lettie McIntyre

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

1938
Photographer: Coombs, Detroit News Staff, Detroit, Michigan

Mrs. Lettif McIntyre shown with her Carillon quilt. Edith Crumb's signature block is in the middle of the top row.
Photo taken by Coombs, staff photographer, 1938. From The Detroit News archives. Courtesy of Janet Finley.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012) and The Detroit News.

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06-011; Postcard of the Nancy Brown Peace Carillon

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

1940
Photographer: Unknown

The Nancy Brown Peace Carillon was funded during the Depression by the contributions of Detroit News advice columnist Nancy Brown's strong fan base. The bell tower is located on Belle Isle, Detroit's 982-acre city park in the center of the Detroit River. Its construction lasted from 1934-1940. The bell tower is dedicated to peace.
Courtesy of Janet Finley.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012) and The Detroit News.

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06-012; Mrs. Ever Everson and Quilters

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

1938
Photographer: Philip Palmer, Detroit News Staff, Detroit, Michigan

Michigan quilters in the farm home of Mrs. Ever Everson.
Photo taken by Philip Palmer, Scottville Michigan Press, 1938. From The Detroit News archives. Courtesy of Janet Finely.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012) and The Detroit News.

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06-016; Mrs. Sylvia Carlen with an boy and girl

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

1952, Snuffy McGill, Detroit, Michigan

Mrs. Sylvia Carlen, age 82, holds a "Mother's Flower Garden" on her lap while her grandchildren, Lois and Verry Deneau, watch attentively. Mrs. Carlen has won over 140 ribbons for her quilts since 1911.
Photo taken by Snuffy McGill, Detroit, Michigan, 1952. From The Detroit News archives. Courtesy of Janet Finley.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012) and The Detroit News.

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01-002; Stitching a Block

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Pair of hands stitching quilt in lap.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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01-007; Baby in a Highchair

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Baby sitting in highchair with quilt as backdrop. Photo taken outdoors.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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01-008; Man Standing in Front of a Quilt

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Man standing in front of Lost Children patterned quilt as backdrop. Photo taken outdoors.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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01-009; Woman Sitting in Front of a Woven Coverlet

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Tintype Portrait
Photographer: Unknown

Portrait of woman sitting in front of woven coverlet as backdrop.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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01-010; Woman, Boy and Man in a Victorian Parlor

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Interior shot of Victorian parlor with woman, boy, and man all seated. Woman has quilt on her lap.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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04-098; Children in the Nursery

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Albumen Print c. 1915-1925
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 3" x 5"

A nursery scene features an Irish Chain quilt in the crib. The two young children are seated at a quilt covered child's table and chair set.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012). 

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04-104; Nancy and Ira James Hill

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) c. 1918-1922
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 3.5" x 5.5"

Nancy is seated next to her husband, Ira James Hill. Nancy's artfully rendered Crazy quilt was tacked onto an outside wall of a building situated on their Prathers Creek farm in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. The Crazy quilt has many embroidered symbols: hearts, baskets, flowers, stars, and potted plants. In the center of the couple is a block with an embroidered heart placed below the word, "Grandma.". Ira James Hill was born in the area in 1855 to Hiram and Cynthia Hill. In the 1870 Federal Census, he was listed as age sixteen and "At Home" meaning he was still helping on the family farm. Ira Hill was thirty when he met and couted Nancy. They married in 1885 and and took up farming in the sparsely populated Prathers Creek Township in Alleghany County where they remained for the remainder of their lives. On the postcard's verso is written, "Uncle Ira and Aunt Nan Hill."

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-001; Woman in a Rocker, stitching

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Black and White Photograph c. 1920s
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 4.5" x 7.5"

Quilting was so important in her life that she arranged to have this very elegant and formal portrait taken showing her seated in a rocking chair and sewing on her quilt. We don't know the elderly lady's name or where the picture was taken. Unfortunately, this photograph is not in color, but a safe assumption can be made that she is working on a red and white quilt. The quilt in the photo is a simple but visually effective One Patch, red and white squares in an alternating pattern.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-002; Ben's Dog Nip

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Silver Gelatin Print c. 1920s
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 7.375" x 5.25"

Seated at attention on a caned back rocker is Nip, belonging to a family in Portland, Oregon. Written on the photograph's verso is "Ben's dog Nip. Father's hat and glasses at home. Dick and Lennie knew him." The ubiquitous Crazy quilt pillow accompanies the rocker.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-003; Cora

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Silver Gelatin Print c. 1920s
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 2.5" x 4"

"Cora" is written in pencil on the verso of this black and white photograph taken sometime in the 1920s. Cora is sweeping the sidewalk dressed in a head scarf and a garment (perhaps a costume?) made from a cheater cloth fabric.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-004; Bedroom

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Silver Gelatin Print c. 1920s
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 3.5" x 5.75"

A Double Irish Chain adorns the bed in this sparse but beautiful bedroom. The quilt's chain is a calico print against a muslin background. Upon closer examination, the quilt was hand quilted in an overall elbow or fan pattern.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-005; Portraits of Children

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) c. 1920-1925
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 3.5" x 5.5"

These two photo postcards were purchased three years apart! It is extraordinary that they are finally united and tell the story of four siblings. In the postcard on the left, the two sisters stand in front of their mother's tobacco Flannel Flag quilt composed of the flags of the world. The postcard on the right shows an even younger sister dressed in a similar checked dress. Her infant sibling, either a brother or a sister, is seated in a wagon or stroller. The very same Flannel Flag quilt is in the background.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-007; Mrs. Dobbs

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) c. 1923
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 3.5" x 5.5"

Sometime around 1923, Mrs. Dobbs stood in front of her Pyramid string quilt to have her photograph taken. Written in pencil on the postcard's verso is the information that Mrs. Dobbs was Scott's step-mother and Bill Trail's second wife. The name Mrs. Dobbs gave her quilt remains unknown. Pyramid, Sugar Loaf, Flat Iron, and Arrowheads were later names. Mrs. Dobbs chose to string piece triangles and alternate the with plain fabric triangles. She intentionally alternated dark and light strips in her pieced triangles.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-008; College Couple

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Silver Gelatin Print c. 1923
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 3.5" x 3.5"

College pennants are sewn into a quilt for these two sweethearts. In my entire collection, this is the only example of a Pennant quilt. The quilt exhibits quite a collection from Massachusetts, Vassar, Maryland, Rhode Island, University of Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Indiana, New York, Tennessee, Alabama, and Kansas.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-009; Wedding Couple

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Silver Gelatin Print c. 1923-1926
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 2.5" x 3.5"

I am assuming, because of her fresh flower bouquet, this is an outdoor portrait of newlyweds posing in front of an incredible Crazy quilt. When randomly patched blocks are framed or contained by wide strips of prints or solids (in this case, plaid fabric), this is a style referred to as a Contained Crazy.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-010; James William Evans, Post Mortem

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Real Photo Postcard (RPPC), dated 1924
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 3.5" x 4.5"

This post mortem baby looks like a new born or very close to a new born. His mother gently laid him on a feather pillow along with a scrappy patchwork quilt. Penciled in cursive, on the postcard's verso, are two lines: "James William Evans" and "Borned December 17, 1924."

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-012; Portrait of a Boy

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) c. 1926-1936
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 3.5" x 5.5"

A darling little boy, unhappy about having to stay still long enough for his picture, sits on a quilt draped chair on his family's porch. The quilt is a utility quilt consisting of multiple fabric scraps, many in plaids, polka dots, checks and stripes, which were so prevalent in quilts from the 1900s through the 1920s.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-013; Mrs. Martin Sandford-Cole and Sammy Cole

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Silver Gelatin Print, dated 1928
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 2.25" x 3.25"

"December 1928" was the month and year that this photograph was taken of five week old Sammy Cole. His mother, Mrs. Martin Sandford-Cole, is feeding little Sammy his milk bottle. Sammy's mother writes on the photograph's verso, "Sammy looks rather cross here and his 'mudder' looks like a Belgian refugee." The quilt on the Cole's bed is composed of eight pointed stars, alternating light and dark fabrics. The star blocks are set on-point and alternate with a printed fabric block.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-014; Lester Orman Family Portrait

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) c. 1930s
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 3.5" x 5.5"

A young family in North Carolina, Lester Orman, his wife, and baby, look directly into the camera for their photograph. The family is seated outdoors in front of a One Patch quilt composed of multicolored and variously patterned fabric scraps.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-015; Red Cross Volunteers

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Silver Gelatin Print c. 1930s
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 5" x 7"

"Hanging Red Cross Flag" is written on the verso of this photograph documenting a disaster relief group at work. Pausing in their efforts, these Red Cross volunteers are busy working on a wooden quilting frame. A folded quilt to the photograph's far right side is basted and ready for the frame. The lady seated under the Red Cross Flag banner appears to be threading quilting needles for the group while another lady is seated at a sewing machine in the back of the room. Perhaps she is piecing another quilt top.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-016; Seated Woman Stitching

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Silver Gelatin Print c. 1930s
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 3.5" x 4"

Sitting in her parlor, this elderly homemaker chose to have her portrait taken with a piece of patchwork in her hands.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-017; Salvation Army Disaster Relief Center Group

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Silver Gelatin Print c. 1930s
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 7.25" x 9.25"

Quilts are on the beds of this Salvation Army Disaster Relief Center. No other identification is given. The dominant quilt on the floor bed is a scrappy Four Patch set on point with a printed fabric border (sashing) around each block.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-018; Santa and a Man

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Silver Gelatin Print c. 1930s
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 3.25" x 4.5"

The man in the Santa suit may be wearing a Santa mask, and he is distributing a gift to the African-American gentleman, whose bed is covered in a Nine Patch scrap quilt.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-019; Siblings with a Welsh Corgi

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Silver Gelatin Print c. 1930s
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 2.875" x 4.5"

A Welsh Corgi is surrounded by a cute brother and sister posed on the family's bold sized Album block style quilt.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-021; Group of 17 women

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Silver Gelatin Print, dated 1934
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 2.875" x 4.5"

Written on the photograh's verso is "Christmas 1934." The location of the photograh surely had to be in a warm climate, as the ladies are not dressed for weather usually associated with Christmas. The 17 ladies are smiling, which suggests this intricate and challenging variation of a Mariner's Compass quilt was a group effort - quite possibly made for a presentation or a fundraiser.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-022; Joan

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Silver Gelatin Print, dated 1936
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 2.5" x 3.5"

This happy little girl is standing in front of an amazing handmade quilt consisting of thousands of tiny cloth pieces assembled into Hexagon Stars and Grandmother's Flower Garden units. On the photograph's verso is written, "1936 Joan 20 months and 21 days."

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-023; St. John's Sewing Circle

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Silver Gelatin Print, dated 1937
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 3.5" x 5"

"St. Johns Sewing Circle 1937" is inscribed on the photograph's verso and represents a group of twelve ladies working on a swastika quilt. The swastika in this quilt is twirling counter-clockwise. Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns, lists sixteen other block names for the counter-clockwise motion including Flying Dutchman, Fly Foot, Whirligig, Devil's Puzzle, Thor's Hammer, and Winding Blades.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-024; Three Women and Two Children

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Second Edition Print, dated 1946 (first printing 1937)
Photographer: Russell Lee
Size: 8.5" x 10.75"

The original photograph depicting a quilting party in an Alvin, Wisconsin, home was taken in 1937 by Russel Lee for the Farm Security Administration and is in the archives of the Office of War Information Photograph Collection in Washington, D.C. My copy comes from a second printing, distributed in 1946 by the Creative Education Society, Mankato, Minnesota. The series was used by elementary school teachers in the 1940s and 1950s as visual aides depicting what women could do in the United States during and after WWII. To quote from the material printed on the photograph's verso: The progress of women has not reached all women. Many women live in poor homes where money was scarce, and there is not enough work for the men to do. Many of these women have taken up again the handcrafts, or ways of making things which their ancestors used. Some of them weave rugs and towels and embroider linens. Some make quilts out of tiny scraps of cloth. They sometimes work in groups like the women in the picture. It is easier to get the quilt laid out and planned when several people work together than when each works alone. The quilt block name for this scrappy top is unknown but could to be a variation of a Pinwheel of a Windmill block.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-025; Norton Family pose with Sunbonnet Sue Quilt

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Silver Gelatin Print c. 1939
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 4.75" x 6.75"

Mr. and Mrs. Norton display a Sunbonnet Sue quilt finished sometime in 1939. Inscribed on the photograph's verso is "The Nortons 1939 Hand made Sunbonnets with little girlies under them."

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-026; Three Women

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Silver Gelatin Print c. 1940-1945
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 3" x 4.5"

Inscribed on the photograph's verso is "Nancy's quilt. A.W.V.S. women finished it and quilted it. They're doing the same with another one donated." The quilt is a Grandmother's Flower Garden. A.W.V.S. stands for the American Women's Voluntary Services, founded in 1940 by Mrs. Alice McLean, who modeled her new organization on the Women's Voluntary Service (W.V.S.) of Great Britain. Mrs. McLean declared the organization to be "non-partisan, non-political, and open to all women irrespective of race or religion provided they were loyal to the principles of the Government of the United States."

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-028; Mrs. Gordon

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Chromogenic Print (C-Print) c. 1940
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 5" x 7"

Mrs. Gorden is seated in her sewing rocker on her front porch doing what she enjoys most - working on her patchwork. Sewing rockers lack side arms, thus making sewing so much easier to not be constantly bumping into those pesky side arms. They were very popular and were sometimes called a "ladies" or "Granny" rocker during Victorian times.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-029; Tennessee Quilters

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Silver Gelatin Print, dated 1943
Photographer: Joe Clark
Size: 8" x 10"

On September 5, 1934, The Detroit News published a series of Joe Clark's Tennessee photographs in the paper's Pictorial section, a weekly magazine that accompanied the Sunday Edition. Joe Clark, a free-lance photographer working in Detroit, was born in Cumberland Gap, Tennessee. Using a Kodak camera, he was called the "Hill-Billy Snap Shooter" for his photographs depicting the life and times of his Appalacian family and friends. Joe's mother (seated left), his Aunt Nora Treece (seated center), and her daughter Julie (seated right), are working on a Cactus Basket or Half Star quilt. Joe Clark wrote in the accompanying photo essay, "Since several persons may work together on a quilt, this enables the busy mountain women to keep their fingers flying while indulging in the social relaxation of visiting." He continued, "When neighbors call, it is not unusual for the woman of the house to let down the quilting frame from the ceiling, where it has been wound up out of the way, and have her quilting friends continue willingly on the work." You can see one of the ropes, positioned in front of Aunt Nora, used to suspend the quilting frame. Storing the quilting frame at the ceiling is a distinct Southern Style.
Photo taken by Joe Clark, Detroit, Michigan, 1943. From The Detroit News archives. Courtesy of Janet Finley.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-030; Aunt Nora and Julie

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Silver Gelatin Print, dated 1944
Photographer: Joe Clark
Size: 8" x 10"

"Aunt Nora and her daughter, Julie, display some of their fine quilts," is the photo caption accompanying Joe Clark's September 5, 1943, essay appearing in The Detroit News. The quilts displayed are from left to right: Flower Garden, Ocean Wave, and Friendship. To the far right is a pieced Basket quilt with appliqued handles.
Photo taken by Joe Clark, Detroit, Michigan, 1943. From The Detroit News archives. Courtesy of Janet Finley.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-031; Mrs. Florence Garvey with two children

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Silver Gelatin Print, dated 1952
Photographer: Snuffy McGill
Size: 8" x 10"

Mrs. Florence Garvey, age 78, Detroit, Michigan, works on an appliqued Album Quilt. "Each block is different," stated Mrs. Garvey in the tag line, "and this pattern is 100 years old from Georgia. It took one year to make." Also noted was the information that Mrs. Garvey was a member of The Detroit News Quilt Club Corner during the 1930s and 1940s.
Press photo taken by Snuffy McGill, Detroit, Michigan, 1952. From The Detroit News archives. Courtesy of Janet Finley.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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05-032; Women Around a Quilt Frame, Stitching

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Silver Gelatin Print c. 1955
Photographer: Unknown
Size: 8" x 10"

An Eight Pointed Star quilt is on the quilting frame for these six women, possibly a group of church ladies. The quilt is composed of multiple scrap fabrics containing typical 1950s prints.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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01-003; Woman at sewing machine

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

Woman sitting at a sewing machine, sewing a quilt.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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01-004; The Traveling Photographer

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Original engraving from
The Illustrated London News
September 13, 1873
Engraving by Jenkin
"The Traveling Photographer"
Size: 9.75" x 12.5"

The photographer is busy focusing his view camera on a wealthy young mother in a bustling gown, with child. Her mustachioed husband, in a uniform with a cane, stands by, while a second young daughter holds their third child. Two curious boys, likely street urchins (one holds a broom), watch the proceedings, one staring intently at the photographer, whose head is under a dark cloth used to allow the photographer to view a dim, upside-down image on the camera's ground glass focusing screen. The photographer's assistant stands at the photographer's side, ready with camera plate holder loaded with plates covered with photographic emulsion, prepared for the purpose of capturing the portrait. A wealthy grandfather in a fine top hat watches over the proceedings with a look of admiration flanked by his wife, apparently the grandmother of the young model and the great-grandmother of the children. A beggar woman with an expression of helplessness is about to approach the grandfather. A baby carriage rests at the side. The photographer's portable darkroom/wagon, used for loading and processing plates, includes a sign "PICTURES 1 SHILLING EACH."

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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01-005; Woman and Child with Tied Comforter

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Portrait of woman sitting in chair with child standing next to her. Quilt is hung as background for portrait. Photo is taken outdoors.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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02-001; Portrait of a Gentleman

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Cased Ambrotype c. 1855-1859
Photographer: Isaac Rehn, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Size: Fourth Plate (3.125" x 4.125")

The earliest example of a quilt in my collection is of an 1850s gentlemen posing for his studio portrait. He is sitting in a chair with his right arm resting on a table covered with a quilt or quilt top consisting of a pattern of pieced squares in striped and plain contrasting fabrics. The gentleman's cheeks and lips are colored in a light pink blush. Since this was an expensive process, done by hand application, only small areas were chosen for tinting. Rehn, a Philadelphia photographer (1849-1860s), is one of the more interesting figures in the ambrotype era. Rehn first appeared in the Philadelphia city directories in 1845 as a painter, but, in 1849, he turned to photography and travelled to Boston to partner with James A. Cutting, a renowned early daguerreotypist. Rehn and Cutting succeeded in filing for patents for their ambrotype process July 4th and 11th, 1854. Rehn is credited for introducing and producing the first ambrotypes in Philadelphia. In addition, Rehn was active in the spiritualist movement as the spiritualists connected the luminous process of the ambrotype with spiritualism. When this ambrotype was popped out of its case, glued to the back was a message from I. Rehn about the ambrotype process and his patent announcement.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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02-003; Young Man, Post Mortem

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Cased Melainotype Tintype c. 1856
Photographer: Unknown
Size: Sixth Plate (2.625" x 3.25")

A young man, dressed in an ornate vest and cravat, is lying post mortem, covered with an Eight Pointed Star quilt while a second quilt, pieced in rectangles and half-square triangles, is seen beneath him.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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02-005; Bearded Gentleman

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

UnCased Tintype c. 1860
Photographer: Unknown
Size: Sixth Plate (2.625" x 3.25")

The photograph shows a bearded gentleman whose left arm is resting on a table covered with a quilt or quilt top. The gentleman's cheeks are hand-tinted.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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02-006; Child, Post Mortem

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Cased Tintype c. 1860
Photographer: Unknown
Size: Fourth Plate (3.125" x 4.125")

Post mortem children are most commonly staged in their bed, on a parlor's chaise lounge, or in the child's wicker carriage. In this tintype image, dark bars of fabric separate the quilt's pieced columns, made up of Four Patch blocks set on-point.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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02-008; Infant, Post Mortem

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Cased Tintype c. 1860-1867
Photographer: Unknown
Size: Sixth Plate (2.625" x 3.25")

Whether a boy or girl, this infant's identity remains a mystery. Unfortunately, only about ten percent of the images in the collection have any identifying information such as a name, let alone a geographical location. The quilt block is composed of four equal sections divided into half-square triangles consisting of light and dark fabrics arranged in a Pinwheel pattern. The name the quiltmaker chose for her block will also remain unknown as quilt pattern names changed throughout the decades.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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02-009; Young Child Post Mortem

Janet E. Finley Collection of Quilt History Photographs

September; 13; 1873

Carte De Visite (CDV) c. 1862-1870
Photographer: G. W. Barnes, Rockford, Illnois
Size: 2.5" x 4"

Sometime in the 1860s, in Rockford Illinois, a young child passed away and the unbearable event was immortalized by photographer G.W. Barnes. What looks like a patchwork quilt on top of the baby, on closer examination, is probably a fringed textile, like a shawl. I did include this image because of its rarity and becuase it represents an attempt on the part of the maker to create the look of a patchwork quilt.

-- With permission of the publisher, excerpted from Janet E. Finley, Quilts in EveryDay Life 1855-1955 (Schiffer Publishing, 2012).

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