I began my research
of Ladies Art Company of St. Louis, Missouri. References to their patterns
started to pop out at me from quilt magazines and books. Historical articles
began to have new meaning for me. I made copies of anything I could find
that mentioned LAC and they were filed away for the future. After almost ten
years of research, and notebooks, folders and boxes full of information
on Ladies Art Company, I am glad the opportunity has come for me to share
my knowledge with everyone. The patterns and designs are timeless and
multifunctional. I hope you enjoy discovering Ladies Art Company as much
as I have. Connie
Chunn The Ladies Art Company
was established in 1889. It grew to be the most influential published
source for the nomenclature of American patchwork quilt patterns. It
was the first company to publish a catalog containing hundreds of quilt
pattern blocks, with a different name or title attributed to each design.
Most of the quilt blocks were formed in a geometric configuration, with
a lesser number being of the applique variety. From the late nineteenth
century throughout the twentieth century, inventories of quilt pattern
published sources and listings, including the 1915 Marie Webster book
"Quilts, Their Story and How To Make Them," The Kansas City
Star newspaper quilt patterns, the "Nancy Page" (Florence
La Ganke) syndicated quilt columns, the "Nancy Cabot"/ Chicago
Tribune/New York Daily News quilt columns and booklets, the Home Art
Studio, Des Moines, and others all reflected a liberal utilization of
Ladies Art Company's assigned names for quilt designs. This midwest
business became the most employed reference for quilt pattern names
in America. Connie Chunn's approach
to researching the Ladies Art Company has been both expansive and unique.
Investigating late nineteenth and early twentieth century farm, home
and ladies magazines for Ladies Art Company's published advertisements
gave Connie examples of the breadth and scope of the company's quilt
pattern distribution and circulation through the U.S.A. and abroad.
Collecting ephemeral sources, such as advertising circulars and brochures
supplied her with additional information about the company. Connie Chunn's exhaustive
research of this pioneer quilt pattern company constitutes a significant
contribution to American quilt history. Cuesta Benberry,
July 10, 2006 Copyright 2010-- Connie
Chunn
While
attending a Kansas City quilt show in the early 1990s, I found reprints
of the Ladies Art Company (or LAC) catalogs and patterns at one of the
vendor booths. “This is interesting,” I thought to myself.
Somehow I hadn’t realized that St. Louis, Missouri, was a focal
point for quilt pattern businesses in the first half of the 20th century.
Since I live in the St. Louis area I thought it would be interesting to
try and collect some original LAC items. That single thought changed the
whole direction of my life.
