Hello! I just wanted to tell you that your suggestion to clean my oriental rug fringe with vinegar, water and dishwashing deterg. worked like a dream! Yesterday, I cleaned the dingy part, putting a plastic trash sack under the fringe and blotted it with a bath towel and left the towel on it overnite. This am, the cleaned fringe blends in with the rest of the "cleaner" fringe and I couldn’t be more satisfied. Thank you very much! Bev from ST. Charles, Mo.

Hello, James,

We have received the two Tabriz rugs that you verbally appraised, and I thought you might be interested in the results.

The rugs look fine, no stains or color runs, just a few wrinkles that seem to be flattening out with no problems. The difference between the wide and narrow ends is no more than an inch in each. Also, in each, the medallion is no more than ¾” off center, measuring lengthwise. As far as width goes, they are centered. The rugs look to be the 324 KPI you mentioned, or 18 x 18.

One rug, 6’ 8” x 10’ 1”, or about 67.13 sq. ft., was priced at $2600.50, or $38.74 per sq. ft. (I realize that, because of the slight variance in width, that these measurements are not completely accurate.)

The other, referred to as a “Master Weave,” not signed, but of better design quality than the other, measures 6’ 9” x 9’ 11”, or about 66.96 sq. ft. At a price of $3801.85, it is $56.78 per sq. ft.

We feel both rugs are a fair value, and plan on keeping them, assuming they flatten out satisfactorily in the next few days.

The Indian Tabriz-pattern runner lies straight and shows no pile distortion. It is fairly, but certainly not bargain-priced at $950. It does fit our hall, so we will probably keep that one also.

Your verbal appraisal was of great help to us. We will certainly mention you to friends.

Thank you,

Name Withheld per customer's request.

Mr. Stilley-

I am so pleased with my clean Navajo rug.  Thanks

Mary Anne C....

Many thanks Jim
for the good work

Bill D...., Las Cruses, NM

Dear Jim and Jane:

Thank you so much for all you did to repair our wall hanging.  As discussed with Jane/Ursula, I am mailing you a check for **** which includes the actual work and the insurance. 

The rug looks just great!  Thank you also for the tips about hanging it.  It has been a pleasure working with you on this.  If anyone we know has a similar problem with a wall hanging or rug, we will definitely recommend your work. 

Sincerely,

Kathleen

Hi James,

I received my expertly repaired  little Navajo rug today!! It looks fabulous. I can't begin to tell you how pleased and happy I am with the results!!! I am looking forward to enjoying it every day.
Again, thank you so much.

Bettina Sirico

Dear James – I hope you saw the Crownpoint Rug Auction story on http://rugnews.com.  It was beautiful!  Great story.  Absolutely one of the best contributions I have ever had.  Required VERY light editing.  The pictures were great. Please bill me via email…the check will be in the mail immediately.

Excellent job. I would certainly be interested in receiving more stories from you, particularly about Navajo weaving techniques, patterns and history.

Thank you again.

Lissa Wyman
Editor and publisher

Hi James,
we are in receipt of the rug. I guess it was at our PO Box a few days
before we thought of checking there. Looks and smells great! Also,
thanks for the verbal valuation done earlier.

Nice Job.

Regards,
David & Deborah Lemieux
Stonegate Antiques
PO Box 461
Glastonbury, CT 06033

Hi James,

I have been meaning to send you a thank you note ever since receiving the Ganado rug over a month ago, but our daughter's impending wedding - with all of the associated craziness - had interfered!

My husband and I are extremely happy with the rug and just wanted to let you know! It came out beautifully!!!!!!!!!1 I am going to pass your name on to an Arizona Navajo rug dealer with our kudos and high recommendations attached!

I have a very small Gallup throw that I also bought while in Arizona this past June that I will send your way for a cleaning once the wedding has passed (Oct 30th) and life becomes sane again.

Again, many thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Regards,
Deb Lemieux

May 7, 2002

Thank you so much for hte beautiful repairs on our three Indian rugs.  We enjoy them daily.

Best wishes -
M. Freyer

James,
I just received the rugs from you. They are fantastic! Thanks for such a nice transaction for such nice items.
Tom

Dear Jim,

Thanks for your time today, and for your appraisal of the large Navajo rug my husband and I are considering buying.  Your evaluation was very enlightening.  As I said earlier, having two novice Easterners going out West to buy art is a dangerous situation (for the Easterners).  So your input and experience is most helpful to us...

...I appreciate your thoughtful assessment, Jim.  If one day we make it out West again and come through Tucson, we'll surely stop by to see your complex, in person.  Again, many thanks.

Sincerely,
Irene

...It looks fabulous, you did an awesome job repairing my Navajo rug!!!

Many thanks again
Bettina

Dear James,

Thank you for the estimate.  Appreciate the info.  Best,  Michael

Jim,

Just a note to thank you for your appraisal & other work involved with resolving our insurance claim on the Navajo rug.  Your very professional service is very much appreciated!

Best regards,

Mark Craig

8/10/05

The rug arrived safe and sound. It looks ... much better. You did a wonderful job getting it cleaned. Thanks.

Becky

Dear ones,

The rug is Magnificient! We love it. It could not be better with so much nap and elegant coloration.

Thanks so very much. We are blessed to have you in Tucson.

Laurie Dryden

Dear James,

Than you for your reply and expertise knowledge. It's very helpful.

Charlie Fisher
Copenhagen, Denmark

Dear Sir:

The officers and members of Desert Star wish to convey to you their sincere thanks for the great job you did cleaning and repairing our Easter Star rug. We really appreciate the care and concern you gave our rug. It was indeed a pleasure to do business with you and we will certainly recommend yo to other organizations. if we need any service in the future, we know who to turn to.

Mary Ellen Ledyard
March 20, 1995

Oct. 9, 1996

Dear Mr. Stilley,

...The oriental rug fit into our location wonderfully and the show is going very well. Thanks again for your assistance.

Mary Atherly, Curator/Registrar
Iowa State University Brunnier Museum

Thank you so much. You were very helpful.
Mary Ann Rogers

Thanks!
The Rug looks fantastic - good job.
Maryann Phelps
Falmouth Institute

8/18/05

HI James,

I just spent about an hour looking at your website. It is great. It makes me want to drive to New Mexico for the Friday night auction...

Hopefully, you got a copy of my email to the seller of the transitional blanket. We will see what happens. I certainly appreciate you seasoned and expert guidance and suggestions. After reading your website I have a better understanding of your understanding...

Today I mentioned to you that I have , "the bug". I read with interest your article on care of rugs in regard to insects. I could not help but notice that you have no article referencing a cure for the collection bug!

Thanks James,

Kevin Muldoon

 

Aug 12,'05

James,

thanks for your help with the Indian rug.
Sincerely
John Suedel

9/09/05

Thank you for your attention and service.
Donnie Flores

 

9/09/05
received the Germantown rug and we are very pleased
thanks to you and your staff. It can now be displayed
again
John Tomlin

 

9/29/05

Jim, I got the rug back, the Indian rug and it is beautiful! ...

Sandra Hickey

10/13/05

Jim,
...Thank you again for helping! It was very professional, the service and your appraisal!
Sincerely,
Susan Johnston

10/17/05

Extremely Pleased with your work--

Mrs. D.

11/0/05

Thanks very much, James, for taking time to respond. (So lazy lines are a good indicator of authenticity.) And for your truly excellent website. Sending my best wishes,

Jane

Hi James,

I received the rug today and I am extremely pleased with the work you did. Thank you very much.
If you ever need a reference, please feel free to contact me. And I will certainly recommend you to anyone I know who needs a Navajo rug repaired.
Joe

11/14/05

Thanks so much for the appraisal of my Navajo rugs...
Ken Tuten

11/12/05

Hi Mr. Stilley,

I'm so sorry I haven't written sooner to let you know that the rug pads arrived safely. Thank you so much for sending them. I believe I will be needing a couple more smaller pads in the near future. Thank you again.
Beverly Anderson

1/20/06

Dear Jim,

Enclosed is my check in payment of your appraisal on my rug and re-shipping of it to the dealer.

Thank you very much for clarifying whether my Persian carpet was a genuine signed Seirafian. I am glad the many defects and findings, as well as the problems with the signature itself, made it simple for you to determine that is was not a genuine Seirafian signature, and I also appreciated knowing the true value of the rug. I believe the reason I am to receive a full refund on this carpet is because of your thorough appraisal as well as your telephone conversation with the dealer.

Please feel free to use any of this in the "testimonials" section of your website.

Thanks again. Sincerely

Mary Elynne Tappero
Tucson, AZ 85716

12/05

Thanx soooo much; can't wait to get it! Happy 2006

Betty Valenti

1/06

Thanks so much for your help!

Libby K.

2/24/06

Dear Sir,

Thank you so much for your most impressive reply. I will do what you suggest. Thank you so much for your honesty concerning the repair. If I need any further service with tapestry's I will for sure send them to you.
My Very Best Regards,
Ron Young
Cross Lanes, West Virginia

Thank you James for your help. You are such a pleasure.

Terry Fraze

3/01/06

Thank you much- it looks great!

Pamela Freeman

3/09/06

Thanks for your time and expertise. Your thoughts were very helpful

Bradley Millikan

3/25/06

Dear Mr. Stilley:
...I found our conversation quite interesting and feel I received the
information and advice from you that I need to help me decide what to
do with this rug.
Thank you.
Marilyn Davis

5/31/06

Mr. Stilley: My rug arrived and looks fine. This has been an
interesting and informative experience for me. I've learned a lot
about Navajo rugs! So thanks.
Marilyn Davis

4/04/06

Many Thanks for most professional job.
Eric Petersen

6/09/06

Thanks Jim-
They look Great

Steve

6/06/06

Thanks James,
The info was quite helpful and fortified my intuition.
Stay COOL!..................Judy

6/14/06

Hi James!
Thanks...it looks like Paypal will cover me on my purchase... I couldn't have done it without your help.

Kevin

6/29/06

Thank you for the excellent service
Jeremiah Chace

7/05/2006

Dear Jim,
Wanted to let you know that I received the rug and check was sent last week. Your wife did a really great job. Thanks much.

Warmest,
Dennis Brining

7/03/06
Thank you'all so very much for a fine job! If you'all come thru Texas, give us a call & come by.
Richard Layne

7/25/06

Jim,
Thanks for your phone call and infor about the rug.
Caleb

9/13/06

dear mr. stilley,
thank you very much for the excellent repair of our rug. you did a superb job.
sincerely,
ellen cooper

9/07/06

You did my rug appraisals a month or so ago. I found some information in my dad's files and thought you might be interested to know that your statement about the Persian rugs you appraised were right on. The one that listed for 6,000 on the tag was actually purchased for 1700 by my father and the one that listed for 5500 sold for 1600.

Dean Everett

10/19/06

I wanted to let you know that the rug arrived today. I am amazed!! You did a fantastic job. It looks so nice and you got most of the bleeding out. I never in my wildest imagination thought that you would be able to get that much out. The ends looks so naturally repaired. Thank you so much from not only myself but my family!!

Candace Gregory

October 17, 2006

Thanks for doing such a good cleaning on our rug... The rug is fairly unique and we are very happy to be able to use it.

Best regards,
Jay Chatzkel

10/25/06

Jim,
I enjoyed talking with you about my Navajo rugs. Thank you for all the information!

Sincerely,
Wm. C. Fuller

October 27, 2006

Dear Mr. Stilley,

Thank you for your time and effort!

Tom Hirohata

10/21/06

Hello Mr. Stilley,
Thanks for helping me with preserving family rugs that are being passed down. I appreciate your honesty, knowledge and fine work.

Thanks again,
Val Gordon :)

12/14/06
I'm cleaning up email folders, so I thought I'd let you know that the tapestry that you repaired for me is now hanging in my dining room. It looks so good and brings back many good memories of times with my grandparents.

Thanks again!
Sharon Buban

12/21/06
James.....Received the invoice/appraisal for my rug today. What a great job! I didn't expect anything this elaborate. If I obtain more rugs for repair you'll be my first choice. Thanks very much. Bob Staples

1/05/07
Thanks James...really enjoyed speaking with you and learning about the rugs...very interesting! Sending a little more than your standard rate because, worth it to me so...thanks again and cheers!
Andrew Wilbur

1/18/07
Thank you for taking the time to tell us about our rugs. We knew if nothing else - they were not taken care of properly. So sad. We are very happy to know their history.
Holly

1/20/07
I have mailed a check to you in the amount of $**.  Again, thank you so much for all of the information on the rugs, you were very kind and knowledgeable.  I have written up what you told me and have rolled and wrapped the carpets with the information.  I will take the two out periodically to enjoy them.  We have decided to give the large one made in Mexico to our cat to enjoy.  Thank you  again.  Holly DeForest.

3/02/07
I guess I didn't get my Antiques Roadshow moment, but it still was interesting learning about my rugs. Thanks
Penny Lester

2/19/07
Hello.  Thought you'd like to know how the sale went of my rugs and such.  Boy you were right about what would and what wouldn't sell... Thanks for all of your help...Sarah Poole

3/29/07
James,We received the rugs back today and are quite pleased... We will be sending some more rugs fairly soon.

Thanks, Larry Jones

3/26/07
Hi, James. I have my rug back and am attaching two pics for you. "reds***1" is a direct shot of the rug in place. "redstorm2" provides a little better idea of the setting in which the rug hangs (gloriously, i might add!).many thanks for your help! larry johnson

4/06/07
Hi, James. I just wanted to let you know that I'm about to put your check in the mail. I hope you were able to view the pics of the rug I emailed to you. It sure looks great! Best regards, Larry Johnson

April 14, 2007
...Thank you for your telephone call yesterday and the information about the two rugs.  We have been wondering for some time about the origin of the rugs, their age and value.
John A. Alexander

4/06/07
Our rug looks much better!  Thanks for your great job!
T.R. Kuntz

5/08/07
Dear Mr.Stilley,

Our rug looks great! ... Would you have time to clean and moth proof my other two rugs?...

Thank you,
Beryl

June 22, 2007
Dear Mr. Stilley-
Thank you for your appraisal... I am so thankful we did the appraisal before we tried selling it somewhere!  It certainly clears the air!
Thanks again!

Sunny Powers

Jim
I cannot thank you enough!   Just Love your work
Thanks
        Michael Taylor

6/2007

Thank you for taking care of our rugs! :)
Sandra Counts

6/2007

Jim;
Thanks for your advice and help...

Barbra Wardle

6/21/07
The rug looks beautiful.  Thanks.
Betty Jo Wells
Brown Sheep Co.

8/24/07
Dear James Stilley and Staff,
Thank you so much for doing what you do.  Our rugs turned out great!  The cleaning brought out the variations in the yarn of each color.  The bleed our of the reds you also managed to lessen.  The rugs also seem softer than I remember.  I'm so glad we found you.  Thank you!
Sincerely,
Beryl Van Dyck

9/13/07
Thank you for your help with this, Jim...
Laura Walton

August 8, 2007
Thank you so much for your expert appraisal of my Indian rugs.
VJ Vogelzang

9-11-07
Thank you James-----
Joe Doan

10/08/07
Hello,
I have learned so much from your site, Thank You for the time and effort, and your extensive knowledge !.
Now I need to read read read and study my rugs to see if they are "real" Native Indian rugs...
Thank You so much for your wonderful site.
Debbie

11/02/07
Hi Jim,
As always, thanks for the good advice! I sent it back...
Kevin

12/11/07
Hi Jim and Ursula, ... And a special thanks for the surprise of having my saddle blanket cleaned,  moth proofed, and blocked by you... It is a perfect rectangle now and I hardly recognized it. I so appreciate all you have done to help and encourage my new found love of Navajo weaving and making it clean, moth proof, and restored. Have a great Christmas and New Year ! Kevin

10/28/07
Thank you Jim -
    Looks Fabulous!!
         Tom

12/29/07
Thanks for the fine work.    Al Marro