Posted by Mike Jackson on February 12, 2004
Tony SegaleWow, my birthday box arrived a day late. I've known about a book called Modern Decorative Art by Paul Wenzel since I attended the Boise BBQ back in 1982. Someone had a few black and white photocopies from the book and I copied what he had. I had located a copy of the book via the Internet, but it was $600 and I could never quite pull the trigger. When I found the same book on a different site at $500, I got permission from Darla and went ahead and placed the order (my big birthday present).
Again, all I can say is WOW, WOW, WOW! The box weighed 22 lbs, and instead of a single book, it consists of 8 "folios". Most pages are printed on glossy stock is rich, deep colors. 417 color plates! Most interesting is the fact they were printed in 1911 and 1912. The images are so diverse that I am having a problem trying to catagorize them, but almost every plate is a keeper. It is easy to see that CJ Strong's influenced by similar artwork in the three or four watercolor plates in his book. Certainly Mucha influenced many of the plates, but they are not limited to the Noveau period. Besides the fine art paintings, there are illustrations for tile, carpet, wallpaper, signs, stained glass and so much more. Absolutely beautiful color schemes throughout!
I'll try to scan a few of my favorites and include them somewhere either on my Golden Era Studios site or this one. That's the most I ever spent on a book, but I can guarantee you I'm not having any buyer's remorse.
Mike Jackson
NoelWOW
Thanks for sharing, Mike. You should be proud of owning that book. My printer's keeping up with your posts.
Our house was built in 1917, two story craftsmen style home. We had it painted inside and out last year. I have an antique chocolate label I wish to paint and gild on the ceiling of our dining room.
I think the orange and olive peacock plate would go well in my office or the "mud room" next to it.
The wallpaper plates are a nice inspiration, too.
Of course, one of the nouveau ladies will have to grace one of the bedroom walls or hallway.
Thanks for sharing and I hope to see the book in person someday.
Tony
Mike JacksonHi Mike
What a find, beatiful color samples, graceful designs. For sure a nice addition to your library.
I remember when Earl Vehill introduced me to Frank Atkinson. Oct. 1974 A stack of copies that I thought for sure would be all the referance I would need for the rest of my life. A great inspiration then and still today.
Thanks for sharing them.
Noel
Hey...a Wintergreen Lifesaver for Noel!
Noel, I've been watching book on line for quite a while. After you came over, I thought the timing was right and the stars aligned. Since I didn't get to go to CA, I figured I should spend the bucks. It's a nice collection of plates, roughly 6" thick.
It's hard to pick just a couple to show here. I really like the owls above.
Mike
Mike Jackson - Noveau Figures
Jeff Lang - ColorsIt's hard to put these folios down...or maybe I should say it is hard not to share some of them here. The plates are just so beautiful!
Hope you are enjoying seeing them, too. The gray and peach figure is just so captivating.
Mike Jackson
Mike Jackson - FishMike,
Looks like you are pretty excited about your newest book. I can see why, thanks for sharing.
What has the most of my attention is the color combinations, WOW.
Jeff
Mike Jackson - Strongs FishI had earlier mentioned I could see some similarities in a couple of CJ Strong's Book of Designs and some images in this book.
You can probably see it here.
Mike Jackson
Mike Jackson - Side By Side FishJust for reference, I scanned this page from CJ Strong's Book of Designs, 1917. You can see the similarities here, including the two fish designs.
I always liked those five or six color watercolors in the Strong's books.
Mike
Danny Baronian - FishHere are two images on the same page. It is easier to see the similarities.
Mike Jackson
Strong? How about Eischer? The fish on the top look like some of his plates.
Danny
Mike Jackson - Peacocks
Larry WhiteHere are two peacock images from the ends of one plate in the Wenzel book. Way too cool!
Mike Jackson
Robare M. NovouWow that peacock artwork is stunning! Last weekend we were graced with the presence of Haydn Whorton from England who is highly skilled in the art of toned acid etching. He briefed several of us on the formulas and processes. I can't wait to try some of it. That peacock would make a very stunning toned acid etched design. Thanks for sharing it.
-LW
Mike JacksonMike, Hows about posting some of those insect pages from your new (old) book.
Or some of those copper tone printed images...
How many volumes are there?
And is that all there is?
Could there possible be more volumes to this set than what you have?
When I first saw one of these folios years ago, it had a different name, with italian authours.
I see that there is an incomplete set of these volumes on bookfinder.com, going for around $350.
RMN
Robare,
There are 8 volumes total. Six are in English by Paul Wenzel and #7 and #8 are called "Modelli D'Arte-Decorativa", editori, Bestetti & Tumminelli= Milano
I'm fairly positive there are only 8 in the series, but maybe that is all this museum knew about.
I believe the incomplete set is sold, but it might be worth looking into.
Mike
Robare M. Novou
LangueinWell that makes sense...I guess I had been looking at one of the last two folios. Its sad to see some of these beautiful older items so broken up and seperated.
Thanks Mike for the info and the sharing of the pictures, you have answered one of those book mysteries that have lingered for me for over 10 years.
I hope your next birthday finds you getting that owen jones book.
RMN
Mike JacksonHmm, a Jones Book for a guy with a Book Jones!
Robare M. NovouHi Robare,
I have the 1987 Jones book. Based on that, I don't think I would pay big bucks for an original one. You can find Grammar of Ornament books from 1987 for around $60 on many book searches. I think Dover still sells some with just the plates, too.
Mike
What reason(s) are you basing your decission not to buy the orginal Owen Jones Book? From having the 1987 reprint, is it the Designs or the Colors?
I have seen both versions...and the reprints cant compare in size or color to the orginal. The original is one huge book and the colors are just like the wenzel book with bronze and gold highlights. I am reminded of moses caring the tablets of the ten comandments down from the mountain when I see that book.
I have not seen the 1928 reprint...Im told thats a close match to the original for a lot less money.
If I get the chance to purchase an original this year, I'll send it to you for a look see, and you can send it back to me after you're done drooling over it.
Its a shame that these great books cant be produce exactly like they were in the past. And that we have to settle for 4 color repros.
RMN
Mike Jackson
Robare M. NovouI think the $600 price tag is the reason I am not interested in buying one. For $14.95, I purchased a book that has the designs, even though the color plates weren't reproduced that well.
Mike
Happy Birthday to all, and heres your gift.
While we are on the subject of Charles J. Strong...I also recieved a book today titled "Strongs Book of Facts".
In the book is some insight into the life of Mr Strong. As some of us know he was born in 1865, when he died is not known, unless maybe someone out there knows and can post it.
Anyway, in the book it states Charles J. Strong was a.... "sign painter and lettering expert in Chicago whose remarkable ability made him nationally famous among men of his profession."
I was under the impression that Mr Strong was a Detroit Sign Painter...who knew?
But heres the best part from the book....
"And here lies the secret, if secret it be, of the phenominal success of the Detroit School of Lettering which Mr. Strong established in 1899. Resigning as head of the creative department of the then world's largest ornamental glass-sign company, he founded his school and began the most spectacular part of his career."
So in 1899 did he resign from Rawson and Evans or Western Sandblast? ......who knew!!
RMN
Mike Jackson - C.J. Strong
Robare M. NovouHi Robare,
Back then, I'm sure there were lots of companies claiming to be the world's largest ornamental glass-sign company. I'd be surprised if he came from Rawson and Evans. If he did much of the design work, you'd expect some of the same flourish style to show up in his books. I can't see any similarity at all. I don't have any resources showing much from Western Sandblast, so I can't compare styles there. It would be interesting to find out someday.
Thanks for the note,
Mike Jackson
Mike Jackson - Owen Jones, Grammar of OrnamentYeah, his style is not like R&E, and from what info I have, George Bayless was the guy that did the artwork for R&E. I have next to nothing on Western sandblast. At one time a few months back there were some reverse glass signs on ebay that were described as having been made by western sandblast at the turn of the century.
I do have those images that I could pass along to you to post on Western Sand Blast. I just had this thought...in those pictures with the R&E workers around the signs...do any of them look like Mr. Strong?
As an extra tidbit...the book says that Strong patented his teaching techniques....I guess its back to the library for me.
You got a very nice book there...it reminds me of looking at an original Owen Jones Grammar of Ornament Behemoth of a book.
Holy Joly....I see here that I have some of the same images that you just posted...I got them from a folio that a book seller was selling about 10 years ago...it had 100 or 200 pages. He was breaking up the folio and selling the pages individually for $20 each. He let me make some xerox copies..not in color though. I seem to remember a different author...I got it written down somewhere. Some very nice images with gilt borders and artwork were also in the folio...I wish I had bought it at the time. I thought I would never see it again. Well worth the money. I suspect you will be repainting your den soon...or the walls inside your garage!
I approached Dover books to reprint this folio...they werent interested. Thier Loss.
RMN
Kimberly ZanettiHi Robare,
The original Grammar of Ornament was printed in London in 1856. I've seen originals offered for sale in the $500-$600 range but I never spent the money. In 1986, Studio Editions reprinted the book for $14.95 with 380 pages and 112 plates. There were a couple of much smaller Dover style books printed sometime after that, too. This big one has some nice plates, but I have a feeling some of the subtle beauty was lost in the reprint.
The new (old) book by Wenzel blows this Jones book away!
Mike
Mike Jackson - One More Photo (large but worth it)If anyone is looking for a "Grammar of Ornament", the '86 version...there are a couple for sale on ALIBRIS, they are about $60 or so.
I just gave my dad's copy to Ron & Kristi Percell.
Danny BaronianIt is hard to post just one photo from this book/folio. Here's another one!
Mike
Mike JacksonIs this a glimpse of the next CD?
Danny
D. BernhardtHi Danny,
Well, who knows! Across the board, the plates are stunning, but only a small percentage would translate into vinyl cuttable elements. Aridi makes some intresting "printable" clip art with images that remind me of some of these pieces, but they don't translate well into vinyl or signs...at least for me. I bought one or two of their collections and it would take some work to make them useable.
Mike
...just a thought, maybe just a CD of art shots re:signage. You have a terrific collection and several (or all for that matter) would be highly desirable in my collection as a reference morgue.
Mike Jackson - OKAY - One More Photo
The group of three above are quite typical of many plates. I assume this is some sort of wallpaper design work.
Mike
Denver Chapter of the Letterheads