Schiffer Publishing Ltd., located in Pennsylvania, publishes a vast library of titles on a myriad of subjects. Many of the publications cover collecting, either as a hobby or professionally. One can find Schiffer books in many book stores, on Amazon.com or through their own website at Schifferbk@aol.com. We recently received three Schiffer books for review and each of them covers a different aspect of Art Deco. Two of the books cover specific subjects while the third one deals with Art Deco collecting and appreciation. We believe that all are of interest to our readers, so we offer a brief review of each.
Art Deco Ironwork And Scupture
By S.F. "Jerry" Cook III and Tina Skinner
Price: $49.95
This book is not a scholarly tome but rather a pictoral survey of decorative ironwork and sculpture compiled and written for collectors and dealers alike. Author Jerry Cook is a second-generation antiques dealer located in Olympia, Washington. Cook specializes in ornamental ironwork. Aside from his downtown shop, Cook has a wrought iron workshop where he passionately pursues the bio-diesel formula. Tina Skinner is a professional writer and editor, who concentrates on art and design. Together, the authors have fashioned a compendium of more than 500 exciting pictorals covering ironwork and metal sculpture. Gates, fences, doors, railings, furniture, staircases and facades are presented to the reader to show the timelessness of their classic lines and details. This 200+ page hard cover book is beautifully printed and is a must-have volume for all fans of the Art Deco era decorative arts.
Inside Art Deco
By Lucy D. Rosenfeld
Price: $49.95
Lucy Rosenfeld is an author of many books on art and architecture as well as art design. In this 240-page hard cover book, Rosenfeld traces the history of Art Deco’s origin in Europe and its migration to the Americas. She also summarizes the Art Deco influence on contemporary designs in architecture and art. Rosenfeld devotes much time in organizing the book into subcategories, leading the reader through each chapter with ease. This volume is beautifully illustrated with hundreds of photographs, many of them in full color. A caption that describes the subject matter and identifies the artist or architect who originated it accompanies each picture. Rosenfield researched her subject well and cites the original location of each piece, as well as the composition of the artwork. "Inside Art Deco" appeals to the curious and the novice collector with plenty of material to excite the Art Deco aficionado
Mid-century Plastic Jewelry
By Susan Maxine Klein
Price: $29.95
Susan Klein manages a Chicago fine arts gallery that specializes in important Impressionist and Modern art. This comprehensive study of over 400 beautiful color photographs of fabulous and original jewelry is definitely a labor of love for Klein. Her private collection of plastic jewelry produced in the 1950s and 1960s, comprises most of the book’s illustrations. The few others pictured in the book are on loan from fellow collectors, family and friends. Susan Klein shares her passion for plastic jewelry and does it well! Once considered "junk" jewelry, Klein reaffirms that this unique new art form deserves respect in the collecting world. There are many books about Celluloid and Bakelite but this book is the first one I’ve seen that is devoted exclusively to mid-century thermoplastics and thermo set plastics. Klein begins her adventure with a history of plastic jewelry, traveling from the invention of Celluloid in the mid-19th century through to the mid-20th century plastics. Her writing is clear, concise and definitive. Susan’s sister, Jori Klein, beautifully does the full color photography. Along with a description of each piece shown, there is a price guide that is very helpful in determining value, whether one is buying or selling. This must-have guide on mid-20th century plastic jewelry is a treasure well written and contains many excellent photographs. It is a virtual "everything you want to know about plastic jewelry" encyclopedia that is well worth the price!
