What's it Worth?

Technically, this is a coverlet and not a quilt. (A quilt traditionally consists of three layers: top, batting and backing.) Your yo-yo coverlet, a novelty pattern popular from the 1920s through ’40s, is made up of fabric circles called yo-yos that are gathered on one side, pressed and attached to one another. (Yo-yos are also known as bonbons, powder puffs, puffs and rosettes.) The value factors are age, condition, size of yo-yos (the smaller the better) and design (flag, floral and scenic are the most coveted). The book value is between $250 and $300. But know that most price guides are written by dealers or advanced collectors, who have a vested interest in setting prices that are favorable to them. These guide prices should be cross-checked with examples from sales at auctions, in the field and on the Internet. Yo-yo quilts in very good condition sell on eBay for as low as $40 and as high as $150.