I have been reading this forum for a couple of weeks. I have often read references to " 1000 chairs" or similar reference books. When I am out there at my favorite thrift store / rummage sale haunts, I often run across pieces that catch my eye,but may or may not be significant. What would the short-list be for a modernist reference library?
One of the reasons...
why there is such a poor response to your question might be that it is just too wide a scope. Of course one can start with "What modern was" and similar publications, than take the next step in more specific areas like Taschen's "Scandinavian design", but eventually you will have to go through the more specialized books on schools: Bauhaus, Cranbrook, Ulm, etc.and individual biographies, Eames,Jacobsen, Kjaerholm, Wegner, Panton and for the north american continent: Henri Dreyfuss etc. although the two tomes of Arthur Pulos "American Design Ethics" would give you an excellent overview of the late ICSID president.Good luck! The best source on reference books on this forum is Azurechicken
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The best single book of its type is Mel Byars:THE DESIGN ENCYCLOPEDIA.The new expanded version."Good lines" do often indicate a quality piece,no single book I know of is comprehensive in the sense your talking about(quick reference)its more a matter of training,aquire a sharp eye...
Let me be more specific...
In response to "guyinSF"; you are right. The realm of design is so broad, I simply forgot to be specific. The areas that I would be looking for are: Lighting , chairs(& furniture in general), ceramics, and objects. These catagories are similare to those found in web-based modernist stores, which is what I endeavour to create. If anyone would care to reply with this added specificity,I would be grateful!
I still think you need to...
I still think you need to narrow it down. Lighting/furniture/ceramics/objects like they sell at mid-century modern stores is not a narrow enough category. Many stores sell a wide range of modern furniture from that era. They sell several different styles of mid-century modern furniture so asking for books on what they sell at mid-century modern stores really isn't all that helpful. Why? Because most books either follow a specific designer or a certain type of design. There were numerous types of design in the mid-century modern movement. I know some books that give genral overviews of the types of design with maybe a few examples from each category. However, I don't know of a book that covers, in detail, the pieces of furniture from each design category. There are just too many of them for one book. I really think you need to buy a range of books. Decide what types of styles out of the mid-century modern movement that you like. You probably won't like all the styles. I know I don't. Then come back and tell what types of styles you are looking for. Mid-century modern isn't a style itself. It's more of a over-all defining term for a wide range of modern styles released in that period. Narrow what you are looking for down specific styles and then maybe we can help you decide on design books.
suggestions
if you are asking for books that will help you "identify" the varous vintage objects you see while rummaging flea markets, shops, thrift stores, etc., i can suggest a few.
Hennessey's "Modern Furnishings for the Home," from 1952 but reprinted in 1997, is a great start.
Taschen's "50s Decorative Arts" book (or the "60s Decorative Arts" or "70s Decorative Arts", depending on your preference) is also very useful. It's a compilation of the annual decorative arts volumes, and is extremely helpful in ID-ing things.
Nelson's "Chairs" (also reprinted in the late 90s) is a great book. His pithy critiques / comments teach more than volumes of books.
And if you are interested in Herman Miller or Knoll or Scandinavian design in particular, e.g., there are books on each of these.
I also suggest past auction catalogs, particularly from the 20th Century specialists (such as Wright, Rago, LA Modern). Treadway Gallery also published awhile back a 2-volume set of their auction results from the 90s, which is very helpful in ID-ing things.
There are many, many more resources. Happy hunting!
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