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A recent photo from Woodard & Greenstein
Antiques shop showing 2 antique hooked rugs for sale – a Grenfell & a
Pennsylvania rug.
Over
the years, she had bought & sold many a hooked rug - including ones attributed to
James & Mercedes Hutchinson & Magdalena Briner Eby. The last time I spoke to her, I was privileged
to share a little Hutchinson insight, & it was a pleasure chat with someone
who had a mutual passion. Here are a couple of the Hutchinson rugs that passed
through Blanche’s hands…
A Fair Exchange Is No Robbery
This rug was exhibited in The Great Cover-up,
American Rugs on Beds, Tables & Floors, at the American Folk Art Museum,
New York City, New York in 2007
The Kiss, Something Made of Nothing (But
Tasting Very Sweet)
This rug was exhibited in The Great Cover-up,
American Rugs on Beds, Tables & Floors, at the American Folk Art Museum,
New York City, New York in 2007
She
will be missed in the antique world for her wealth of knowledge, talent &
contributions. My condolences go out to her longtime life & business partner
Tom Woodard & the rest of her family.
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If
you aren’t familiar with Blanche, I thought you might enjoy reading a little about
her life & work… Blanche was born in the Bronx, New York, to Libby and Ben
Greenstein in 1939. Graduate of New York University. A former stylist for
photographers and television producers, her interest in antique textiles began
as a hobby. This was the genesis of what became Woodard & Greenstein
Antiques, a leading source for American Quilt Collectors in the US,
Canada, South America, Europe, Australia and the Far East.
As
a specialist in antique quilts and American folk art, she co-authored Classic
American Quilts, Classic Crib Quilts, The Poster Book of Quilts,
and 20th-Century Quilts 1900-1950.
In
1971, Thomas K Woodard & Blanche Greenstein opened their first shop on
Lexington Avenue selling American Antiques, specializing in Antique Quilts. Their
gallery presented special exhibitions, including rare collections of Shaker
furnishings and antique Garden Furnishings. A long list of celebrities
frequented their gallery in New York City.
Blanche & Tom with some of their Quilts in 1991.
Kate Winslet appeared on the cover & inside
the November 2013 issue of VOGUE magazine. While Tom & Blanche were known
for textiles & furniture, they also sold other antiques. Kate was wearing
some of their antique jewelry in this Vogue issue & it was noted in the
article. Kate was one of many celebrity clientele of Woodard & Greenstein
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One of the Hawaiian Quilts from the Exhibit.
Her
interest in restoration led the pair to projects involving the saving of
several 18th- and 19th- Century houses and New England barns which were moved
to Eastern Long Island, faithfully restored, and filled with American antiques.
Photographs of these projects published in Architectural Digest, Elle Decor,
World of Interiors, Country Living, and other publications and books on historic
design.
Tom & Blanche with Nina Williams (holding
the shovel), editor of Country Living / Country Gardens Magazine - as they take a
break from a 1992 photo shoot to imitate the famous Grant Wood painting.
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An old barn on Wainscott, Long Island, decorated by them. Photo in Country Living Magazine, April 1997, page 143. Do you recognize the hooked
rug over the mantle?
Dogs, Cats, Birds, and Turtle
attributed to Magdalena Briner Eby
Rug Hooking Traditions with Magdalena Briner Eby book, page 49
A bedroom in a house they decorated in the
1990s. Photo in Country Living Magazine in July 1992. Note the charming Owl
hooked rug above the bed.
For
many years, they were exhibitors at major antiques shows in New York, London,
and others. Friends of Art of US Embassies, which places American art in
embassies throughout the world, received a quilt from Woodard and Greenstein
for their collection.
Woodard & Greenstein Antique booth at the
Olympia Fair in London, England in 1990.
Woodard & Greenstein Antique shop in
Architectural Digest, September 1982. Great horse hooked rug over the bed.
In
2004, the Woodward & Greenstein began designing & manufacturing their exclusive collection of WOODARD
WEAVE handwoven and hooked rugs in authentic American designs - based on
19th-century American Shaker and Amish designs.
The exterior of the shop, the window displays
both antiques & their line of WOODARD WEAVE HANDWOVEN RUGS. In the
bottom left corner is an antique Teddy Roosevelt campaign bandanna/scarf (circa
1912). I love this photo – as I have that exact bandanna!
The Woodard Weave Handwoven Rug/Runner is installed
on the staircase.
An ad for Woodard Weave Handwoven Rugs – Classic stripes & colors. So very Americana!
Blanche's
exquisite, unerring taste, along with her passion for American quilts and folk
art, have set the bar very high. She has inspired us all to always seek the
exceptional, when only the best will do.
A more recent Woodard & Greenstein booth at
an Antique Show.
Spend
some time enjoying your ANTIQUES today --- they have value, tell a story
& add pleasure to our lives! Teach the next generation about antiques!
For
more info on the Magdalena Briner Eby or James & Mercedes Hutchinson hooked
rugs please check our website: RugHookingTraditions.com
Thank!
Kathy
