A Legacy in Stitches: Highlights from the Ellen Rosenbach Collection

On September 27, 2025, Dana Auctions will present A Legacy in Stitches: The Ellen Rosenbach Collection. With more than 170 quilts spanning four decades, this landmark auction celebrates a lifetime of artistry.

Ellen Schargel Rosenbach, inventor of Applipops® and a nationally recognized quilt artist, is celebrated for her technical mastery and her reimagining of historic quilt traditions. From 19th-century medallion reproductions to her signature circle motifs, Rosenbach’s work embodies both reverence for quilt history and bold artistic voice. For collectors, the breadth of this single-artist sale is extraordinary; offering an unprecedented chance to acquire pieces that bridge contemporary artistry with centuries-old traditions.

While every lot tells a story, four quilts stand out as especially evocative examples of her vision:

Tree of Life Quilt (Lot 1)
The Tree of Life motif is one of quilting’s most enduring symbols, representing growth, continuity, and legacy. Rosenbach’s interpretation balances tradition with bold design, stitching together a narrative of heritage and renewal. For buyers, it’s both a timeless pattern and a deeply symbolic work, a quilt that resonates across generations.


Estimate: $1,200 - $1,600

Clamshell Medallion – Ann Randoll Coverlet (Lot 166)
Inspired by the celebrated Ann Randoll Coverlet (England, late 18th century), Rosenbach’s Clamshell Medallion demonstrates her devotion to reproducing historic masterpieces with extraordinary precision. Collectors will recognize this as a rare opportunity: quilts faithfully recreating iconic European examples seldom come to auction, making this piece both academically significant and highly collectible.

Estimate: $1,000 - $2,000

Grandma Kapp’s Quilt (Lot 133)
Personal history lies at the core of Rosenbach’s practice, and Grandma Kapp’s Quilt embodies that intimate connection. Rooted in family heritage, it is more than fabric and thread; it is a stitched memory, a tactile heirloom transformed into art. Works like this resonate deeply with collectors who value provenance and story as much as design.

Estimate: $800 - $1,200

Sarah Cox Blazing Star Reproduction (Lot 57)
The Blazing Star pattern captures radiance and dynamism, and Rosenbach’s reproduction of the Sarah Cox quilt demonstrates her ability to channel historical voices through needle and cloth. Its vibrant geometry and precise craftsmanship make it an investment-worthy addition for any serious collector of reproduction or star-pattern quilts.

Estimate: $600 - $1,200

From medallion masterpieces to intimate family heirlooms, the Rosenbach Collection is not only a landmark sale but also a celebration of quilting as living history. For collectors, it’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to acquire museum-quality works directly from the hand of a nationally recognized artist—quilts that will continue to tell stories for years to come.

See the full catalog and register to bid on Bidsquare.com.