I clock
"George Nelson" sounds like a person's name, rather than "George Nelson Associates" sounding like a group of talented people.
From the advent of the first 1948 edition Herman Miller Furniture company's catalog, George Nelson was shown to be a person, not a group. As much as I like this concepts and stuff, Nelson did not give credit along the way, and if you didn't read deeply, you'd think Mr. Nelson designed everything that named him as designer.
As an illustration, I collect Jazz and Dance Bands from the 1920's and 1930's on original shellac 78's, and it's interesting that on the Victor and Brunswick labels, some bands listed their vocalists who sing the refrain, while others are simply listed as "with vocal refrain".
Two of the better Dance Orchestras was George Olsen and Isham Jones. Olsen nearly always had his vocalists listed on the label (he was on Victor then Columbia), while Jones almost never listed his vocalists (he was on Brunswick, then Victor, then Decca).
I'd read that for some reason, Isham Jones did not want his band vocalist to get credit on the labels, while George Olsen apparently insisted (right down to listing the three names of an orchestral trio!).
I think George Nelson was something like Isham Jones; hire the best, produced the best stuff, but do not give their employee's individual credit.
You are darn luck, I Clock, to have found this elusive Vitra catalog. I'm still trying to obtain a copy at a fairly reasonable price.
Attribution
Yes, George Nelson sounds like a person he was, but George Nelson was also a brand - but we've had the discussion about attribution. Legally no attribution is needed. No-one squawks about the Eames Office not giving credit (except, apparently, Bertoia)
I mean, does anyone really thing Frank Gehry designs his stuff? Or Phillipe (gag) Starck? Of course not - they are brand names, far beyond the individuals.
barrympls and others
Read this article from Metropolis Magazine, June 2001. An interview with Irving Harper that gives more insight on his working relationship with George Nelson and his firm ; http://www.metropolismag.com/html/content_0601/har/index.html ( If this address doesn't work, just google Irving Harper Metropolis )
Thanks, I Clock
I've seen this wonderful article before.
I plan to spend the $175.00 for the Vitra catalog next month (grrrrrrrrrrr, too expensive), so this'll be a nice addition to whatever information I'll find in the book/catalog.
I still want all modern classics to be properly credited, despite what the big wigs wanted at the time, for all future publiciations and exhibits.
This should not take anything away from the Nelsons of the world, but whomever actually drew it on paper should get the primary credit. Period.
Woof...thanks for the tip
but the $110.00 copy at Powell's is the German language version, and they claim it is a trade paper edition.
The Vitra Museum lists it as being a hardcover and is available in German (red cover) and English (brown cover).
I don't speak or read German, so the red cover edition won't work for me....but thanx for tryin'
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