Chasing Rainbows: Collecting American Indian Trade & Camp Blankets
Hardcover: 304 pages. Luxury terracotta linen binding with dustjacket.
Pre-owned copy: Out-of-print highly sought after book.
Chasing Rainbows is the bible of Indian trade and camp blanket collecting and belongs in the library of every collector. The dazzling Indian trade blanket has become one of the hottest categories in collecting. Icons of Western decor, these stunning geometric-patterned blankets remain a staple of Native American life. With more than 350 full-color and black-and-white photographs of hundreds of magnificent rare blankets, original blanket manufacturers' catalog pages and historic photographs of Native Americans this book covers the 1892-1942 golden age of Indian blanket manufacturing. The history of every manufacturer is thoroughly examined and examples of their most stunning blankets showcased. Additionally, there is a chapter on labels that can help you identify any blanket you might find along with a chapter on caring for vintage blankets.
About the Author
Barry Friedman is the pioneer collector/dealer of Indian trade blankets and has bought and sold a staggering 40,000 vintage blankets in his 50 year career. He is Ralph Lauren's primary supplier of blankets and is the vintage Indian blanket consultant for Pendleton Woolen Mills, the only surviving pioneer Indian trade blanket manufacturer. Stories about Mr. Friedman have appeared in hundreds of publications ranging from USA Today and the Los Angeles Times to the Antique Trader and he's been profiled on TV programs such as "Good Morning America". He has lectured at many institutions including the Baltimore Museum of Art and the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum and was the first non-Indian ever invited to give the keynote address at the Pendleton Woolen Mills national sales meeting. In a previous life he was a Hollywood television comedy writer and received six Emmy nominations and wrote stand-up material for scores of comedians. He lives in Phoenix, Arizona.
* dustjacket has minor damage, otherwise in great pre-owned condition.