Dear Arachnes, So much of interest was delivered in lectures and exhibits at this year's symposium of the Costume Society of America from May 30-June 3, that when I returned home I thought to write and write. But, I have resisted the temptation - this is not a teaching list, and the attendees were mostly museum curators, historians, and university professors. http://www.costumesocietyamerica.com
This year's theme was "Unlocking the Trunk - Collections, Collectors and Collecting". And, I must add that the membership is very international - many countries represented. Example: I met and conversed with Susan North of the V&A, co-author of "Fashion in Detail from the 17th and 18th Centuries" - the book with the lovely stays in pink silk taffeta (photo) on the jacket cover. She spoke on the subject of endangered collections - and the first she told about was the one at Nottingham. Told me privately that the property was wanted by developers. Sound familiar?? Lovely old buildings, charming area, but will produce more revenues if used for a different purpose. So, it seems the unique collection will be rolled into a much larger under-funded collection where it stands to be lost in inevitably crowded storage facilities. Some Arachnes might be interested in the lecture (related to the Dear Abby discussion) "A Collector Goes Shopping: Arabella Huntington in Paris", delivered by a curator from The Huntington Library, California. Exhibit on display from May 5 to June 25 - *still 10 days to see* - "The Belle of San Marino: Introducing Arabella Huntington". Huntington was once said to be the richest woman in the world. http://www.huntington.org She spent much of her fortune in the Place Vendome, assembling a first-rate collection of 18th C. art in between trips to the city's most prestigious couturiers, lace dealers and jewelers. She collected and collected - often items with a royal or aristocratic provenance. When she died and it came time to dispose of all the collections - she had an heir whose very modern wife was not at all interested in the fine arts of the past, luxury textiles, jewelry. The vultures descended - every one making off like a bandit. The modern wife was very glad to get rid of the paste and glass jewelry - which was, in fact, real pearls, emeralds, diamonds, rubies, etc. for just pennies on the dollar. So, here is a very good lesson about why we should be concerned about our own simple but desirable collections. We should discuss them with our heirs and advisers and come to a meeting of minds while we are "in control" and can find appropriate homes. So much very fascinating information was available at the symposium. I've been home a couple weeks, but am still re-living the intellectual stimulation. I am now known as the member of CSA who wears and collects lace! Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace & Embroidery Resource Center - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
