> About how many costume/fashion related books or magazines do you own? Somewhere around 500, more if you count the art books, but they're packed right now.
> > What was the first one you purchased? Where did you purchase it? Payne's "History of Costume". I didn't purchase it, my high school librarian gave it to me when I graduated, since I was the only person who had checked it out in three years and I knew it well enough to quote page numbers. > > What was your most recent purchase? Mode a Firenze > What do you think was the best deal that you have every made when > purchasing a publication? That copy of Payne was pretty good, other than that, probably paying $25 for Boucher's "20,000 Years of Costume". > About how many period photographs do you own just for the costuming? About 20. I've also got a couple of framed hand-tinted fashion plates, and I've got tons of pictures of existant garments. > What book or magazine is your most treasured...if your house was on fire, > you would take it with you. My great-grandmother's copy of "Encyclopedia of Embroidery". It was originally her grandmother's. > What is the worse costume book that you own? I know Robin has a > collection! "Let There Be Clothes". It perpetuates every costuming myth there is. I keep it to show my students what not to use. > > Do you have a room devoted to your collection? Well, it's my workroom, where I use them. > > When did you start collecting? 1976 > Do you consider your collection for business or pleasure? Business, but I would collect them even if I didn't costume for a living. Having the business just makes it easier to justify my obsessions. > What was the most price of you have ever paid for a book, collection of > > work, etc. $100 for Mode a Firenze. Although, I've been looking at an out of print French book on costume in the reign of Louis XIII for $700. It has pictures of garments that were lost during WWI and WWII. > > Optional questions: > > How many sewing machines do you own? What types and age? I'm down to 3 in the house right now: My great-grandmother's 1909 Singer treadle, a Singer Featherweight that needs it's box repaired, and a 3 month old Brother. My 1978 Kenmore just got reconditioned and sent to my youngest daughter. Until fairly recently, I had 2 more electric machines and another treadle, but I pared them down. > How many sewing patterns do you own? The patterns live in two four drawer filing cabinets. Probably half of those are one's I've drafted, but I collect patterns, usually when they're on sale for $1. I like looking at them for inspiration and if I can start with a ready made pattern for something, great, that saves me a bit of time. Melusine _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
