All good advice and ideas. Personally, I like the look of handquilted old quilts, so if that is a possibility, I'd do that. The idea of tying them is also something I would like. Do what suits your style and preference. I would do something to hellp stabilize a quilt before I hung it, though, because the old fabric would need that extra strength to hold up the weight without damaging it.
Would love to see pics of them. I also collect the old ones I can afford. Sometimes they are meant to be my springboard for a replica. I have two that I realllllly want to try to copy. One has the most wonderful stars in old black, offwhites, and browns...a very neutral quilt with a bit of reddish fabric here and there. And the other one is of very large spools in blacks, browns, and reds. It isn't even very clean and is falling apart but I absolutely looooovvvvve it. Have to make one like each of them when I can find similar fabrics. Some I haven't found anything close enough to purchase.....might be very old fabric.