Name/Title
Dennis Mills Coverlet Collection Notes May 2024 Donation to MVTM - Overlooking the Overshot CoverletsEntry/Object ID
2024.1.47Description
Dennis Mills Coverlet Collection Notes
Transcription notes:
Overlooking the Overshot Coverlets
This is the second donation of a large number of overshot coverlets to the Mississippi
Valley Textile Museum. The first donation of about 50 jacquard coverlets, etc. happened
in 2018 and were exhibited at the museum in [illegible – must be the name of a month]
of 2023.
I believe the decorative arts of the nineteenth century have been overlooked over the
past thirty years. My collecting of handweaving began more than 50 years ago and
began with the exhibitions at the Royal Ontario Museum in 1973 when I lived close by
while attending the University of Toronto. Handweaving, especially coverlets, was
highlighted when Dorothy and Harold Burnham were the curators in the Textile
Department. They published Keep Me Warm One Night at the same time c. 1972. That
publication and the subsequent The Comfortable Arts by Dorothy in 1981 for National
Gallery Tour became “my bible” as I began to build the collection. I did not set out to try
and replicate the ROM collection but I have come close in all categories of textile
collecting. Good examples have become increasingly rare.
With the exception of a few overshots that I have kept, I pass the majority on to the
museum collection. Additional overshots in carpet, tableclothes [sic] and other examples
will follow in the future.
Such collections are both a blessing and a curse. Manageable groups will assist in
exhibitions in [illegible]. As a collector I was often frustrated when I was denied access,
receiving only poor photos from museums. I hope researchers and collectors will have
access for more rewarding experiences in the future.
Overshots have been produced throughout the nineteenth century (an [sic] early 20 th ) in
the Maritime Provinces, Quebec and Ontario. They are probably the best represented in
private and museum collections today. Some spectacular examples examples [sic] have
been preserved and feature weaving on a four harness (or more) loom. Many examples
are [illegible] to Scottish, Irish and English settlements in Ontario, Quebec and Nova
Scotia (Cape Breton in particular).
My personal focus has been collecting examples in excellent to good condition. Rarely
one in fair condition was added when the weaver’s name and location made it an
exception. Research over the years has made this a difficult task, visiting local
museums and archives to search census records and old directories.
I have been blessed to collect excellent overshot coverlets by the “big four”, notably
Samuel Fry from the loyalist-germanic niagara, John Campbell from Komoka, Middlesex
County (London area), Charles Irvin of Mount Charles, Peel County (Mississauga) and
Peter Fritz, Selby, Richmond Township, Nappanee. This helps to illustrate a regional
focus, often overlooked.
Some have the overshots have been exhibited previously in Mississauga, Toronto, and
Lanark co. but for the most part they have been celebrated publicly. Some have been
used at lectures I have done for conferences and workshops.
I am pleased to entrust them to your care for the future. I will continue to add other
information as things come to light in the future.
Until I get the next group of handover coverlets gets catalogued – good luck.
I have provided a [illegible – possibly full] copy of my catalogue to assist you.
Dennis Mills
May 9, 2024Use
The overview of the May 2024 coverlet donation to the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum by Dennis Mills of 46 coverletsCollection
Dennis Mills CollectionCataloged By
Rob ChildsCreated By
robchilds1985@gmail.comCreate Date
December 11, 2024Updated By
robchilds1985@gmail.comUpdate Date
December 11, 2024
