Toronto collectors Alvin and Gloria Rosenberg have donated a breathtaking assortment of 677 North American quilts, worth almost a half-million dollars, to the U of A. The Rosenberg Quilt Collection is a vibrant, world-class addition to the Clothing and Textiles Collection, the only university teaching collection in Canada.

Crafted from materials as diverse as homespun wool, men's suits and flour sacks, these patchwork wonders span more than 100 years, with the oldest quilt dating back to about 1840. Gathered from the United States and Canada, the varied collection reflects a kaleidoscope of pattern and form - from Victorian silk 'crazy' quilts to subdued, work-a-day versions handcrafted by Amish and Mennonite women.

"I didn't realize I was collecting. I just loved them and bought them," said Gloria Rosenberg, who bought her first quilt in 1958, adding that her husband had no such illusions about what he knew to be a quilting obsession. "One day he said, 'they're all over the place Gloria; I haven't a chair to sit down in.' I said, 'well, I'll open a store then,' and everybody laughed."

Over the 20 years Rosenberg ran her Toronoto-based quilt shop Sawtooth Borders, the laughter subsided, as did her desire to buy quilts. She closed up shop in 1977 and purchased her last quilt in 1990.

Now 81, Rosenberg decided it was time to find a new home for her vast collection, choosing to donate her quilts to the U of A for the valuable use it will have in a teaching environment.

"I began to think about the denouement of my life, and I thought, was I going to leave my kids with 700 quilts? What are they going to do with them all?" said Rosenberg.

The quilting baroness, who was only ever responsible for making two quilts herself, one each for both of her sons, heard the U of A might be interested in her collection. "Their mandate was what I wanted, that the quilts were going to be handled and studied and enjoyed and not put in drawers where you had to make an appointment to see them. As long as they last, they last. Quilts wear out - it's not so terrible."

The one-of-a-kind collection will be used as a teaching tool for U of A students, but will also be open to the public and to other academics as a resource for research and inspiration.

A selection of the Rosenberg collection is on display at the McMullen Gallery in the U of A Hospital until Dec. 9. Some of the collection will also be exhibited in the main foyer of the Human Ecology Building on the U of A campus during this time. _