I believe I just read an article in one of the quilting magazines about this contest and some of the controversy surrounding the winner. It was in the last few months, but I can't put my hands on it at the moment. The controversy was over both the content of the winning quilts (quilters had been told that quilts were to follow the theme of the world's fair and the winner did not do that) and who actually made the winning quilt. The winner farmed out different parts of the process to different piecers and quilters and did not in fact make it herself, which was one of the requirements of the contest.
I'd love to see the quilt if you feel like posting a photo. What a treasure!
I'll post a link to the article if I can find it. The author may be of help to you.
Here's a link to an author and article which should be helpful:
http://www.quiltindex.org/essay.php?kid=3-98-3B