Local Antique Dealer Gains International Recognition

When Stella Rubin grew up in New York City, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans were her favorite TV stars. Like many American children in the 1950s, she sat on the floor in front of the television and sang "Happy Trails" along with Roy and Dale as they signed off each week. She now admits she was a little in love with Roy.

Fast forward to this past July and you find Rubin back in New York, at Christie's auction house bidding on four pairs of Roy Rogers' cowboy boots, a Mexican leather and gold watch and a metal-studded pair of chaps— all worn by Roy.  Rubin was the winning-bidder on them all.

Rubin, a Potomac resident since 1974, is an antiques dealer specializing in quilts and American textiles. Also, she sells American Folk Art. Rubin plans to sell at least three pairs of the Roy Rodgers boots and the watch; however, she will keep the chaps.

Roy Rogers memorabilia is not Rubin's only obsession — she has been selling quilts for 35 years. Internationally-recognized as the top quilt dealer in the country, Rubin is selling her quilts at the Sully Quilt Fiber Arts Show and Sale at Sully Plantation in Chantilly, Virginia, on Sept. 12. This is the only local show she participates in each year.

"I have been selling at Sully on and off for 25 years and I like that it brings out the local quilt enthusiasts," Rubin said. "Generally, I sell quilts from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands, but at Sully most of my quilts will be priced between $500 and $5000. They are from doll-size to king-size."

Rubin was initially attracted to quilts because of their color, pattern and tactile quality. Also, she likes to shop.

"I paid just $12 for the first one back in the 1970s, and was hooked when I took some that I paid $20 for to New York and sold them for $50," Rubin said.

Rubin is well-known in the industry as a hard worker and her attendance at an auction signals that something special is for sale and the chances are slim for another collector to win an outstanding quilt, said Debby Cooney, a local quilt collector and researcher. 

"She seems to be everywhere: scouring antique malls, shops and shows and is often first in line when the doors open," Cooney said. "She knows both the historic and artistic qualities of all the genres of quilts and chooses only the best for her inventory. When you visit Stella's booth at a show, it's hard not to leave without some treasure or other."

Her customers attribute her success to her unerring eye for originality in design.

"I recently purchased one of the most unusual quilts I have ever owned: It is pieced in cottons and velvets and the design is of a gigantic rooster," Rubin said. "It is quilted and tied, which is quite-unusual."

In 2001 Rubin published her first book, Treasure or Not: How To Compare and Value American Quilts. Ten years ago, she started using the Internet for business and began selling on her own website. She attributes her international clientele to the Internet and has recently debuted on 1stdibs, an online antique marketplace.

Rubin sees customers by appointment only. For more information please visit her website.