Search Results: Textiles from Rare Illustrated Books

Stuttgart, Germany: Julius Hoffmann, 1923. First Edition. Exciting collection of architectural paintings, photographs, and decorative sketches in watercolour picturing modern interiors in Berlin, Nuremburg, Cologne, Stuttgart, London, Munich, Karlsruhe, Thun-Berne, Mayence, Bremen, Essen (Ruhr) and Darmstadt. Quarto, spine darkened, front board sunned, two-page introduction some foxing, mild edge toning to pages, previous owner's inscription, clean title page, all plates clear and bright, a very good copy.

Spectacular collection of costume designs for the theatre. Dated from 1938 through to 1940, this vibrant collection displays outfits ranging from the 17th century French courtiers of Versailles to ancient Manchurian dress robes for the emperor. Strange insects appear, a dancing creature made from seaweed, and a magnificent 16th century Elizabethan ruff. Each original watercolour has been signed with the mark of the artist 'GW' and dated. Two artworks also feature differing forms of a pictographic hand-drawn chop. [1758]. Fifteen works on paper in watercolour, all signed by the artist, each measuring 380 mm x 280 mm + one smaller piece at 325 mm x 220 mm, and another at 390 mm x 240 mm; the occasional age mark, a near fine set.

London: F.S. Ellis, 1871. Night passed, day dawned, and we grew full of mirth As with the ever-rising wind Still farther lay our threatened death behind, Or so we thought : some eighty men we were, Of whom but fifty knew the shipman's gear, The rest were uplanders ; midst such of these As knew not of our quest, with promises Went Nicholas dealing florins round about, With still a fresh tale for each new man's doubt, Till all were fairly won or seemed to be To that strange desperate voyage o'er the sea." [The Earthly Paradise, prologue.] Fifth edition of parts one and two, and second edition of parts three and four. A fine set of Morris's third book, later published by the Kelmscott Press. Based on classical and medieval sources, The Earthly Paradise is best known for its introductory poems on each month of the year, perhaps for the way in which they reflect the beautiful textile designs of their creator, William Morris : ‘O fair midspring, besung so oft and oft, / How can I praise thy loveliness… Read More

Sydney: Darlinghurst Galleries, 1965. First Edition. Monograph tracing the development of an enigmatic Australian artist whose abstracted forms are infused with a strong spiritualism. Foreword by Peter Bellew, an abridged chronology, and an article and writings by the artist. Quarto, bound in original black cloth, 16 colour plates and 110 illustrations in monochrome; a fine copy in a near fine dustwrapper.

Paris: Armand Guerinet. First Edition. Bound in original cloth boards, 320 mm x 400 mm, 65 (5) pages, 10 hand-coloured and 22 black & white full-page plates; marginal tear to front endpaper, otherwise a very good copy.

Vienna, 1939. A rare an unusual collection of original hand-painted fashion designs produced in Vienna before the outbreak of the Second World War. All seventeen designs are original artworks. Some feature ornate and carefully crafted crepe-paper whorls and rosettes, presenting the elegant fashion items as textured three dimensional forms. The plates comprise designs for a range of items and accessories - six pairs of shoes, ten pairs of gloves, and a parasol - all signed by the talented artist ‘Kropej'. It is known that Miss Kropej studied under the care of Emmy Zweybrück-Prochaska, who operated a privately owned art and craft school in Vienna from 1915. The school taught a range of skills in the decorative arts, and was renowned for wonderful toys and textile design. The school closed in 1939 when Emmy Zweybrück- Prochaska was forced to emigrate for the United States where she continued to work in textile design and the illustration of children's books. This collection of work by Miss Kropej is… Read More

London: Burberrys Limited, 1930. Important work on men's fashion. Presentation inscription by Burberry director, A. Ralph Burberry. "For Safety on Land, in the Air, or Afloat, There's nothing to equal THE BURBERRY COAT" Scarce book promoting the firm's association with pioneers, explorers and the sportsmen who wore Burberry apparel in all manner of climates and landscapes to accomplish great feats. Covers Artic and Antarctic expeditions, fishing, flying, motoring, mountaineering, travel, naval and military - with a focus on the classic gabardine Burberry trench coat. A well-put together volume amassing an abundance of first person testimonies. Also includes an appendix on Macintosh's method of rendering fabrics waterproof (Glasgow, 1823). Octavo, bound in original cloth made from Burberry gabadine with paper label, 248 pages, a fine copy.

London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1884. First Edition. First English book on Oriental rugs. Octavo, 11 lithographic plates including frontispiece, one in colour, folding map, four pages of publishers' advertisements; bound in olive green cloth, gilt-decorated pictorial boards with black lettering, an excellent copy of the first edition.

Budapest: PICTURA, 1930. First Edition. Hand-printed pattern book published by Pictura, Sebestyén László's award-winning Hungarian design studio in Budapest. Oblong quarto, 30 leaves, staple-bound paper wrappers decorated with 10 embossed golden medals, a very good copy.

Constable and Company: London, 1919. RACKHAM, Arthur. First edition of this finely-produced work illustrated by the famous Arthur Rackham. Quarto, original gilt decorated blue cloth, 16 tipped colour plates (including frontispiece) and numerous line drawings throughout, a great copy, a few small spots on the covers otherwise fine.

London: Cassell, Petter and Galpin, 1878. Pattern book for interior designers: arresting album of plates depicting floral designs drawn from many sources, showcasing traditional patterns inspired by various sources such as medieval tapestry and Islamic mosque tiles alongside novel creations of the later nineteenth century. Frederick Hulme (1841-1909) was an artist and graphic designer who studied under Christopher Dresser and continued the tradition of producing pattern books for ornament and interior design. Also a keen naturalist, Hulme illustrated several books on the trees, flowers and butterflies of Great Britain. His contributions to scientific botanical illustration won him membership in the Linnean Society, and he later taught design at the London Architectural Association. Although published in London, the 52 fine plates in this book were lithographed in Paris by Dupuy. Folio, with a total of 52 chromolithographic plates (including the frontispiece, decorative title-page, and tailpiece)… Read More

Lyon: Giraud et Rivoire, 1930. First Edition. Vintage Bayard fashion catalogue from a purveyor by the name of Paul Millet on Rue des Oiseaux in Montceau-les-Mines, France. Octavo, bound in illustrated paper wrappers, 10 pages, 10 full-page colour illustrations, light embrowning to covers, 2 mm closed tears to front cover, 50 mm closed tear to back cover, in very good condition otherwise.

Washington DC: Olney's Wallcoverings, 1950. Retro wallpaper sample book designed to attract attention from the commercial client, filled with highly engaging, decorative hand-screened prints suited to shops, restaurants, bars, hotels and other popular establishments. Pattern books for the interior design of commercial spaces offer a great depth of cultural history and are rare on the market. Leading American designers presented in the portfolio include Constance Depler Coleman. Elephant folio, bound in red boards with gold lettering, 57 cm x 35 cm, 95 hand screened prints, boards mildly scuffed, occassional price annotations throughout, vibrant original condition within.