Another major book due out in spring of 1998 is the long awaited "Sumac Bags" by John Wertime. "Sumac Bags" is a penetrating look at the world of Shahsevan flatwoven bags by a man who is beyond a doubt one of the world's leading authorities. Wertime was a member of the Teheran Rug Club and as such was part of the initial work that clarified who are the Shahsevan and what is a Shahsevan Bag. With top experts like Jenny Housego, Amadeo De Franchi, Parviz Tanavoli, and others Wertime was deeply involved with the study of the Shahsevan. In 1976 Wertime and Italian diplomat Amadeo De Franchi co-authored "Lori and Bahktyari Flatweaves". That book remains the one of the definitive works on that subject even now over twenty years later. Leading Oriental Rug bookseller Myrna Bloom of the East-West Room in Dresher Pa. tells me that even at a premium price of $175 the Wertime/De Franchi book sells out immediately as soon as she gets more in. The upcoming Wertime "Sumac Bags" is listed at $125 and even at that price should be a brisk seller. "Sumac Bags" will be published in London by Hali and Laurence King. Hali editor Danny Shaffer knows that I can at times be a tough critic and he assures me that I will find the upcoming book to be the definitive book on Shahsevan Flatweaves. I look forward to it. Wertime is a specialty dealer, writer, author, and lecturer who lives and works in Alexandria Virginia. He has spoken recently in a number of places including the Rug & Textile Society of Indiana, the 1997 Textile Museum Rug Convention and the 1996 Post ICOC show at the Corcorran gallery in Washington DC. Wertime, John. Sumac Bags, London: Hali and Laurence King, expected Spring 1998. To See more Caucasian Rugs & Carpets For Further Reading: Guide to Rugs & Books Thanks and best wishes, J. Barry O'Connell Jr. |
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