Needed: Tips for selling historic needlework

[dia]

Has anyone hear sold historic needlework? My Mother-in-law has two historic pieces that she is interested in selling and asked me to look into the who might be interested, what to provide in initial contact, and pitfalls to look out for (since she's not very computer oriented.)

Any suggestions or tips?

Dia

[MaryCorbet]

Hi, dia -

If they're valuable, I'd suggest contacting an antique broker. Even though you'd have to pay a percentage to the broker, chances are you'd be more likely to find the right client who will pay the right price.

MC

[dia]

Mary,

Thanks for the reply. She was interested in getting one of the pieces to a Museum or University with a textile collection. It is an early piece of Point de Marseille and somewhat valuable, based on the appraisal.

The other piece was probably part of a hand pieced purse (looks like a simple, triangle based quilt top), entirely silk, but little is known on age or value.

I'll see about contacting an antique broker for the Point de Marseille piece. I'm waiting for a reply from a quilting museum on the other.

~dia

PS, I do have pictures. If you're interested in seeing the pieces, I'd be happy to share.