In 1975, Leclerc’s Kebec loom was the most expensive loom they made, ranging from $850 – $914, depending on the accessories. It’s a large, 4-shaft counterbalance loom with double treadles – 100″ or 120″ wide.
But their most advanced design at the time was their Nilart loom, a jack loom, available in 8 or 12 lamms. No longer available it was built on their successful Nilus time-tested design. The Nilart was either 45″ or 60″ wide and ranged in price from $730 (basic 45″ 8 harness) – $932 (60″, 12 shaft with inserted eye heddles).
The 12-shaft, 45″ Nilart I picked up on Sunday is a beautiful loom that is well-used, but well-cared for. It has inserted eye heddles…lots of them on the harnesses. The cost of this loom was $871 in 1975, which translates to $4,051 in today’s buying power. I paid $800 two days ago. And like I said, it is in great shape.
But the real story lies with the person who owned it, A. Gilmer in Winnipeg. She purchased it from the original owner, June Cameron, long-time MWFA member, weaver, artist, and weaving instructor, also from Winnipeg.
Links for Cameron’s activities/involvement can be found at:
- http://www.mbweavers.ca/about-us/our-history/
- http://www.narrativethreads.ca/explorer-explore/tableau_realise_avec_des_teintures_au_lichen-lichen_dye_artwork.html, and,
- http://news.gov.mb.ca/news/archives/1978/11/1978-11-24-8_artists-in-residence_appointed_for_regions.pdf
The second owner of this loom relates that June was her first weaving teacher. She was taught at Ram Wools …back when Ram Wools was a wonderful weaving shop, with a noisy weaving workshop on the second floor (Klank, Kaboom, Klank, Kaboom, went the looms upstairs…).
A master loom, from a master weaver. I hope that some of her skill lies resident in the machine! :)
