NEWSLETTER - AUGUST 2002
There's a whole new generation of collector's who are drawn to the beauty and nostalgia of the vintage tablecloth - bringing the charm of the "good old days" to their present kitchen tables. I'm constantly amazed at the sheer number of different designs and styles that are still available in good condition today on on-line auction sites and local flea markets. It is remarkable to consider these cloths are at least 50 - 75 years old and have all seen years of Sunday dinners, celebrations and other family events.
Collecting these types vintage kitchen textiles is a growing area with values increasing everyday. I consider these tablecloths pieces of "vintage kitchen textile art" and it represent a fascinating study of the social and political influences of women's changing roles in the kitchen on the American tablecloth designers and manufactures.
Three years ago, When I started collecting, I only met a few collectors, now there are literally thousands of us! As the market demand for these treasures is still increasing, the availability of quality "Mint" tablecloths is decreasing - so they can be seen as a "good investment." The most highly sought after and valuable cloths are 'Black Americana" Themes - which can bring up to $300.00 for a mint with tag one,
"State Souvenir tablecloths can sell for between $25- $400" (mid west states and those that were not popular tourist destinations like Ohio, Virginia, Missouri, Western cowboy tablecloths $50-$300, Whimsical children, farmer or housewife themes, usually sell for between $45.-$150. The most valuable tablecloth I have in my personal collection is a 1930's Springmaid "Spring Maid" tablecloth and napkin set that was only given the Springmaid employees as a Christmas Present- it is "mint in the box" and worth up to $800.00 The high prices for some these cloths are due to the fact they are "cross collectibles" and are sought after by a wide variety of collectors, not just vintage tablecloth collectors. Here is a Mint with original tag "Startex" Roy Rogers 1940's tablecloth that is valued at $350.00 - both the Western/Roy Rogers collectors and Vintage tablecloth collector's value this one.
For a good reference for Vintage Tablecloth values, please check out my new book "collector's Guide to Vintage Tablecloths" Schiffer Publishing and my collector's web site: www.gramasattic.net.
