Visit To Sotheby’s

Twelve members of the Loudoun Sampler Guild visited Sotheby’s auction house to see the exhibition of the Betty Ring Collection, the day before it was sold and scattered. 

There were almost 150 pieces in the collection being auctioned, and Sotheby’s had given over one entire floor to the exhibition.  Some collectors come to needlework as they would any type of arts-and-crafts or folk art, but for our group, our appreciation is enhanced because we are all stitchers ourselves.  And while the Sotheby’s catalogue is comprehensive and well-photographed, it is nothing compared with seeing the pieces in person.  The gallery guides were willing to taken pieces off the wall, so we could see them better; they provided flashlights and magnifying glasses, and didn’t mind us taking our own photographs.  I suppose it’s because Sotheby’s sees every visitor as a potential buyer. 

Note in one photo that Marty Greiner is looking at a colorful sampler from New Jersey in an arched-top frame.  That sampler garnered the highest sale price on Sunday — a whopping $1,070,500.

Sotheby’s does not annouce the names of the winning buyers.  It will be interesting to see if some end up in museums or other institutions.  I know we would all like to see the Westtown School samplers end up in the schools’ collection, for exmaple.

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Secrets Messages in Cross Stitch

Stasi Buhrman came across this piece about a British officer interned in a German POW camp during World War II.  It’s a fascinating story, and she thought other Guild members would find it interesting.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2012/01/11/f-hitler-british-prisoner-of-war-s-secret-bold-messages-of-defiance-hidden-in-his-cross-stitching-115875-23694806/

 

 

 

  

 

Watch Out, New York City, the LSG is Coming!

Several Loudoun Sampler Guild members are planning a day-trip to New York to see the Betty Ring sampler exhibit at Sotheby’s on Saturday, January 21.  If you are interested in joining  them, make your train reservations on Amtrak leaving Union Station, Washington, DC, at 6:20 am, Saturday Jan 21^st, and returning from Penn Station, New York City,  that evening at 6:05 pm.  Those trains also stop at BWI, Baltimore and Wilmington stations which may be more convenient for some LSG members.  Make your train reservations soon to take advantage of Amtrak’s 14-day advance purchase discounts.  

Let LaDonna Snellbaker (love2stitch16@yahoo.com) or Barbara Bernard (B-BERNARD@NGA.GOV) know that you are planning to join the group, so that they can tell you where to meet at Union Station.  New York resident Elizabeth Ellers is working on a list of recommendations for lunch and other things to do in Manhattan on a Saturday afternoon.

Sotheby’s Catalogue Released

A nice post-Christmas surprise in the mail was Sotheby’s catalogue for the auction of the Betty Ring collection.  Many LSG members had pre-ordered the catalogue; it may still be available from Sotheby’s.

In addition to photos and descriptions of each of the 201 lots for sale, the catalog includes a biblipography of Betty Ring’s work, a list of her lectures and tributesby Linda Eaton of Winterthur; Amy Finkel of M. Finkel and Daughter;  Colin Eisler of New York University; and others.

http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/2012/important-american-schoolgirl-embroideries-the-landmark-collection-of-betty-ring-n08832/overview.html

December Meeting Show and Tell – more photos!

Nancy Dluehosh, our outgoing Historian, took lots of photos at the December holiday luncheon and sent them to be posted here.  As usual, LSG members dazzle with their beautiful needlework.

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Photos from the Holiday Luncheon

As always, our December 10 event was great fun — eating, shopping, prizes, present swaps, more eating, more shopping!  Thanks to Kathleen Oliver and all of her helpers for a fabulous morning.

Willa Brown sent all of these great pictures of people enjoying the party as well as some Show and Tell .  Too many to caption!  Enjoy!  And if you have more photos, send them along and we’ll post those, too. 

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