1979

Illinois State Museum

Mill Valley, California, United States

From the correspondence files of Bertha Stenge. This file contains letters from Joyce Gross of the Mill Valley Quilting Authority to Francis Traynor providing appraisal of four of Bertha Stenge's quilts: Quilt Show, Quilting Party, Iva's Pincushion, and Saturnia Souvenir.

Bertha Stenge; Francis Traynor; Joyce Gross; Mill Valley Quilt Authority; Iva's Pincusion; Quilting Party; Quilt Show; Saturnia Souvenir
Page 1
MVQA
Mill Valley Quilt Authority
July 10, 1979

Francis Traynor
2508 N. Bernard St
Chicago, IL 60647

Dear Francis,
Well the quilts are all sent off and tho there are still many little details to take care of, we are all somewhat rested and ready to renew life.

I do hope that you arrived home safely none the worse for wear and having some fond memories of making so many people happy by sharing your quilts. It really was awfully nice of you to do that and believe me people are still talking about how nice you were to share them.

I have enclosed the appraisal as you requested. I hope it is satisfactory and if I can do more please let me know.

It was fun to meet you and tho I didn't get much chance to talk to you I hope it won't be too long before our paths cross again and we will have more time to talk. Thank you so much for your help in making the exhibition a success. I really can't tell you how much I appreciate it.
Fondly,
Joyce Grossbr />P. O. Box 270 Mill Valley, California 94941 (451) 388-7578

Page 2
MVQA
Mill Valley Quilt Authority
July 10, 1979

Francis Traynor
2508 N/ Bernard St
Chicago, IL 60647

Based upon my knowledge of the current quilt market and my experience in the recent Patch in Time I have appraised the following quilts, all of which were made by Bertha Stenge.
1. QUILT SHOW - Pieced. 78" x 93". Many first prizes
It is an original design with very fine quilting.
It is pictured in Patsy & Myron Orlofskys "Quilts in America pg 29 and Florence Peto's "American Quilts & Coverlets' pg 50 ...... $10,000
2. THE QUILTING BEE. Pieced and applique. 77" x 81"
The center is a copy in applique of a painting "The Quilting Party". It is pictured in Patsy and Myron Orlofsky's "Quilts in America" pg 29 ....... $10,000
3. IVA's PINCUSHION 88" x 86" Applique and finely quilted ..... $8,000.
4. SATURNIA SOUVENIR 86" x 88" Pieced in orange and browns ..... $5,000.

Mrs. Stenge was very well known quiltmaker in the 1930's and 1940's with many magazine articles written about her. Her quilts were shown in two major exhibitions, U.C. Art Gallery in 1941 and the Art Institute of Chicago in 1943.
Joyce Gross
P. O. Box 270 Mill Valley, California 94941 (451) 388-7578

Page 3 - envelope
Mill Valley Quilt Authority
MVQA
P. O. Box 270 Mill Valley, California 94941
Francis M. Traynor
2508 N. Bernard St.
Chicago, IL 60647