American Quilt Collections introduces many of the great public and private collections that have flourished since quilt collecting became fashionable. It is a thought-provoking, information-filled guide to the collections. This book integrates new information about how, when, and why the collections were formed, and also explores curatorial concerns about displaying quilt collections and allowing scholars access to them. More than 70 vibrant full-page color photographs reflect the diversity of antique quilt masterpieces in these collections. Also included are two forewords: "Judging Masterpiece Quilts: A Historical Perspective" by Jonathan Holstein, curator of the 1971 landmark exhibition generally acknowledge as the catalyst of the current quilt revival, and "Value in the Eye of the Maker: Masterpiece Quilts in Nineteenth Century America" by Celia Y. Oliver, a curator at the Shelburne Museum.

Order from

ABSTRACT DESIGN IN AMERICAN QUILT: A BIOGRAPHY OF AN EXHIBITION
by Jonathan Holstein
foreword by Shelly Zegart

"Abstract Design in American Quilts," an exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York in 1971 curated by Jonathan Holstein and Gail van der Hoof, is generally credited as the spark that ignited the modern international quilt revival. Holstein gives its background, set against the art world of New York in 1971, and discusses what has happened with quilts internationally since then. The book includes full-page color photos of every quilt in that historic exhibition, plus other rare photographs important to modern quilt history that are nowhere else available.

EXPANDING QUILT SCHOLARSHIP: THE LECTURES, CONFERENCES, AND OTHER PRESENTATIONS OF LOUISVILLE CELEBRATES THE AMERICAN QUILT
edited by Shelly Zegart and Jonathan Holstein

Assembled in this publication are the lectures, conferences, and other presentations which comprised the unique scholarly component of Louisville Celebrates the American Quilt. Organized by The Kentucky Quilt Project, Inc., the event was planned to further quilt scholarship in specific areas, and included conferences, exhibitions, lectures, and other associated events. Many of the best-known scholars in the quilt field, joined by equally distinguished scholars from other disciplines (art history, African-American studies, American decorative arts, corporate and institutional collecting) gave more than 20 presentations on quilt-related subjects. Most of those presentations are included in this publication. A number of projects which grew directly from these conferences and lectures will help shape the future of quilt scholarship.

KENTUCKY QUILTS: 1800-1900
introduction and quilt commentaries by Jonathan Holstein
historical text by John Finley

The Kentucky Quilt Project started in 1981 from a belief that Kentucky's 19th C quilts are a valuable part of our nations' artistic heritage. For over a year Quilt Days were held throughout the state to identify the quilts and collect data for permanent reference. 44 of these quilts and their stories culminated in the exhibit that traveled with the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service for two years. Since 1981 groups in all 50 states and some countries abroad have undertaken quilt surveys informed by the methods and directions of the Kentucky Quilt Project. Other quilt history books also published by the Kentucky Quilt Project include Abstract Design in American Quilts by Jonathan Holstein, Always There: the African American Presence in American Quilts by Cuesta Benberry and The Quilt Journal: An International Review (6 small Journals sold as a set) publication.

Order from