1892 Wholecloth Quilt
Unidentified Quilt Maker
Circa 1892
68 x 77 inches
Found in Michigan
A cotton whole-cloth quilt printed with images celebrating the 1892 Chicago World's Fair (which actually opened in 1893.) Called the Columbian Exposition, it was intended to open exactly 400 years after Christopher Columbus "discovered" America ... but was delayed. This Exposition is one of the Chicago's most famous (and infamous) events. For the gory details, read Erik Larson's "The Devil and the White City."
Someone had access to yardage of some fabric printed especially to promote and to sell at the Fair, and made a quilt of it. It is machine quilted, a rarity in 19th century quilts.
Condition is strong and sturdy but faded, particularly so in an area of the upper section, near the middle. Our photos show it well. Separately bound in a red cotton that frames it nicely.