By Zach Zaman, President of the Hajji Baba Club
The Hajji Baba Club welcomed more than 60 members, collectors, and friends to Nazmiyal Collection in New York on Sunday, September 27, 2026, for “The Thrill of the Hunt: Collectors in Conversation.”
The evening brought together three respected voices in the rug and textile world—Bruce Baganz, Mary Jo Otsea, and Mike Tschebull—to discuss collecting, connoisseurship, mentorship, and the experience of studying historic rugs and textiles. Each offered a distinct perspective, sharing how years of looking, comparing, and collecting have shaped their understanding of these objects and what continues to excite them today.
Rather than a formal lecture, the program unfolded as a conversation, followed by audience questions and an informal show-and-tell. The format gave longtime collectors and those newer to the field an opportunity to exchange ideas, stories, and discoveries in a relaxed setting.
As president of the Hajji Baba Club, I was delighted by both the turnout and the enthusiasm surrounding the program. Gatherings like this are an important part of the Club’s life, bringing generations of collectors together and creating opportunities to share knowledge and experience.
We are particularly grateful to Jason Nazmiyal and his team for their generous hospitality. Surrounded by antique rugs and textiles, the gallery provided a fitting setting for an evening devoted to the pleasures and challenges of collecting. We had originally planned for a smaller gathering, but strong interest led us to expand registration to accommodate more attendees—more than 60 of whom braved the nor’easter to join us that evening.
Our thanks also go to Bruce Baganz, Mary Jo Otsea, and Mike Tschebull for making the program such a success, and to everyone who joined us. The evening was a welcome reminder that the thrill of the hunt extends beyond the objects themselves to the friendships, conversations, and discoveries they inspire.
For more information about the Hajji Baba Club and its programs, visit the Hajji Baba Club website.
Zach Zaman