This book accompanied an exhibit of the same name at The University Museum of the University of Pennsylvania (now named the Penn Museum) in 1984. Joe Ben Wheat, the universally recognized Navajo textile authority, curated the show. Ben Wheat's introduction and comments about the collection of Navajo textiles at Penn Museum helps those interested in learning more understand how to evaluate earlier Navajo blankets and rugs.

This was a seminal exhibit and catalog.