Book

WWD's 100th Anniversary Book

Filed under: Apparel, Books, Celebrity Design

Here's a perfect gift for the fashionista in your life (even if that's you): WWD: 100 Years, 100 Designers. Fairchild Books and WWD (Women's Wear Daily) recently unveiled this special edition, large-format book commemorating WWD's 100th anniversary. Compiled by WWD's editors, the book examines the careers and creations of 100 designers who are among the past century's most influential style icons and tastemakers.

In its 312 pages, the book pays homage to WWD's century of fashion-industry news and daily style coverage from 1910 to the present. Filled with hundreds of stunning photographs and lavish illustrations, one section features designer interviews conducted through the years for WWD including Giorgio Armani, Gabriel "Coco" Chanel, John Galliano, Tommy Hilfiger, Halston, Calvin Klein, Karl Lagerfeld, Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, Valentino, Gianni Versace, and Diane Von Furstenberg.

The first book published by Fairchild Books, it's available at Amazon ($65).

Tags: 100, book, books, fashion, WWD, WWD book

Goyard Limited Edition Book in a Bespoke Trunk

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Books

Goyard, the luxurious Parisian luggage maker founded in 1853, is coming out with a limited edition book about the history of the illustrious firm fitted in a bespoke trunk (above). Goyard, whose cases feature a pattern of interlaced chevrons, has long had a devoted clientele of celebrities and royalty. Aristocrats such as the Grand Duke of Russia, the Maharajah of Kapurthala and the Duke of Windsor all traveled with Goyard luggage; as we reported in April, Chanel kingpin Karl Lagerfeld now brings dozens of Goyard trunks and suitcases with him on his journeys. The book is limited to just 233 numbered copies available by special order only complete with custom trunks priced at about $7,250.

Purchasers may choose from 12 different colors for the trunk, with monograms, stripes and other embellishments available at an additional cost. The number of the edition is painted on every trunk. Continuing the heritage of Goyard's prestigious collections from the 1920s, the book "resonates with and celebrates the golden age of luxury travel, from horse-drawn carriages to the great transatlantic ocean liners." Traditional letterpress techniques were used for the book, produced in collaboration with famed French art publisher Devambez and printed upon custom made vellum paper featuring its own watermarks.

Gallery: The Goyard Book

Tags: book, Duke of Windsor, France, Goyard, Karl Lagerfeld, luggage, luxury travel, Paris, royalty, trunk

Magritte Masterpiece Back in Print

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Art, Books

To celebrate the recent opening of the Magritte Museum in Brussels, Abrams / Fonds Mercator has come out with a new edition of Magritte, the masterful monograph on the Surrealist genius by the late David Sylvester, the world's foremost expert on Rene Magritte's work. Brought up to date by the Magritte Museum's director, Michel Draguet, the classic work which has been out of print for over a decade features 40 chapters of critical insights and clues to Magritte's poetic painted puzzles, and over 500 lavish full-color illustrations. Magritte's influence has been felt by many artists since the 1960s including Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns and Ed Ruscha. The Magritte Museum, housed in a neo-classical building in Brussels' Place Royale, displays over 200 original Magritte paintings, drawings and sculptures. Another museum is located at rue Esseghem 135 in Brussels in Magritte's former home, where he lived with his wife from 1930 to 1954.

Tags: Andy Warhol, art, art book, Belgium, book, Brussels, Jasper Johns, Magritte, Magritte Museum, museum, painting, Rene Magritte, Surrealism, Surrealist

The Classicist: America's Finest Equestrian Architecture

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Estates, Sports, The Classicist, Wealth

Kathryn Masson, author of the book on Hunt Country Style which we wrote about back in 2008, has returned with another brilliant exposition on equestrian style for our enjoyment. Stables: Beautiful Paddocks, Horse Barns, and Tack Rooms takes us on an alluring journey through America's horse country. Collaborating once again with Hunt Country photographer Paul Rocheleau, Masson visits some of the most notable stables and equestrian centers from coast to coast. Ranging from private to historic to state-of-the-art, from homes for retired racehorses to lodgings for polo ponies, thoroughbreds and world champions, 25 distinctive examples of equestrian architecture and interiors are profiled, showcasing their design, construction, and landscaping.

Each of the featured buildings evokes its distinctive regional heritage, from an enormous 1830s English-style barn near the Saratoga Springs Racetrack, to the Mediterranean aesthetic of one of the world's leading Arabian breeding farms, Om El Arab International in California's Santa Ynez Valley. Also highlighted are the world-famous racing stable Newstead Farm in Upperville, Virginia, home of Kentucky Derby winner Genuine Risk, and the quintessential Western working ranch Centennial Ranch in Ridgeway, Colorado. Three historic Vanderbilt family stables are featured: The Breakers in Newport, Sandy Point Stables in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and the newly restored project of Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank, Sagamore Farm in Glyndon, Maryland.

Avid equestrienne and professor Dr. Perky Beisel explores the history of the American stable and the long tradition of horsemanship in this United States in an informative preface. "For some Americans, horse ownership and participation in horse sports became a lifestyle and, for others, a way to join the upper class," She notes. "Families who reaped the benefits of 19th-century expansion in industries such as railroads and manufacturing had seemingly unlimited wealth with which to satisfy their desires. While some became notable art collectors, yachtsmen, or horticulturalists, others became active participants in horse sports. In so doing, not only did they create a new upper class, but they also transformed the physical landscape of equestrian recreation and leisure."

Gallery: Great American Stables

U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation Center, Gladstone, NJ

Tags: architecture, book, California, coffee table book, coffee table books, Colorado, equestrian, foxhunting, horseracing, horses, hunt country, Kathryn Masson, Kentucky Derby, luxury book, Maryland, polo, Rhode Island, Saratoga Springs, stables, The Breakers, upper class, Vanderbilt, Virginia

Continue reading “The Classicist: America's Finest Equestrian Architecture”

Swann Galleries Early Printed Books Auction

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions, Books

There's something magical about turning the pages of an old book, with all that history and ancient knowledge snuggled and sleeping between the sheets of paper. Swann Galleries will be offering up a collection of early printed books and manuscripts belonging to the late Lawrence Feinberg, who was a bookseller and specialized in ancient manuscripts. The accumulation includes a diverse assortment, with some pieces dating back as far as the 9th century. A few examples are a portion of a 9th century Bible in Latin with text from Ecclesiastes, a first edition of a rare book on weather prediction, and a first Humelberg edition of the only surviving Roman culinary text from 1542. Most pieces are valued at somewhere between $1000 - $3500 each.

The books will be available for public viewing at Swann Galleries in NYC from May 7th - 11th and the auction will begin at 1:30pm on May 11th. Get an illustrated catalogue and make arrangements to attend via the Swann Galleries website.

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Tags: antiques, auctions, book, book auction, book auctions, books, expire-images:2010-5-20, swann galleries

The World Will Cost You $5,800. In Atlas Form...

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Books

Millennium House publishing presents its ginormous atlas EARTH as a legacy for the next generation. Depending on how big your own next generation is at the moment, it could be a few years before he's grown large enough to be able to turn the pages.

The two-foot-tall, 1.5-foot-wide, 580-page hardbound tome is packed chock-a-block with 400,000 words, 750 photos and illustrations, 160 pages of maps, and four pull-out gatefolds that are each six feet long. That basket of cartographical goodness is wrapped in a handbound leather cover that is then numbered by a calligrapher in Hong Kong. And that rather weighty leatherbound goodness is then placed inside a 33-pound preservation case composed of leather-wrapped hardwood.

Lest it sound like the Earth has been ravaged in order to create an atlas – wouldn't that be irony – there will only be 3,000 copies created, in two series: 2,000 Royal Blue, 1,000 Imperial Gold. That latter one will cost you $5,800. That might sound like a lot of money, but when you consider having the entire world at your fingertips, and your child's fingertips once he's out of college, then it might be worth it. And how else would you get the chance to hear your friends say, "My, what a big atlas you have!"

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Tags: atlas, book, earth, millennium house, publishing

Erotic Classic Japanese Art In One Book By Phaidon Press

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Art, Books

This interesting publication is certainly not safe for the family room. Dating back literally hundreds of years, Japan (among other cultures actually) has a history for high quality erotic art. Much of it was produced during the ukiyo-e period that ranged from the 17th - 19th century. The art has a feeling just as you would expect from traditional Japanese art, and much of the work was done by some of their major famous historic artists - such as Hokusai, Utamaro, and Kuniyoshi. Those instead of a large wave, fishing boat, or calm mountain scene, these paintings are are taboo defying images of sexuality and hidden passions from a culture that mostly repressed such thoughts from being publicly discussed. The images here are "safe for all eyes," but not that the majority of these works are for adults only. This is old-world Japan hentai - a sexually charged art style popular in Japan today.

This classic art (known as Shunga, or "spring images") and stories from this era were contained in "pillow books." Pillow books had a variety of purposes similar to what we would use such imagery today - to inform, entertain, and of course arouse. The difference is the quality of the work being on par with the era's finest paintings and other master works. Shunga works were mostly originally done on wood, and are great collector's item all over the world. In the upcoming publication Poem of the Pillow and Other Great Stories: Erotic Japanese Art by Utamaro, Hokusai, Kuniyoshi and other artists of the Floating World, by Phaidon Press, much of this famous art is collected in one source. The book will have 350 full color images done in Phaidon's typical high quality style. The 384 page, beautifully presented book will be available soon and comes with a large erotic scene image by Utamaro that can be framed. Price is just $49.95 and available in June.

Gallery: Erotic Classic Japanese Art In One Book By Phaidon Press

Tags: book, erotic, gian carlo calza, GianCarloCalza, hokusai, japan, japanese, phaidon, poem of the pillow, PoemOfThePillow, shunga, utamaro

Phaidon Atlas Of 21st Century World Architecture Book Makes Ideal Gift

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Holiday Guides, Books

Some people are hard to shop for, or alternatively you don't know someone well enough to get them something they really like. Then you have the added pressure of the Holiday season closely coming to its apex, and you are left stressing about what to get for those important people in your life. Usually the idea of a book doesn't get ones juices flowing as the idea of an exciting gift, but that isn't always the case. Here you have just one good example, of a world of image-rich publications that make a stunning presentation, and provide hours of interest. It is hard to go wrong.

This book is the Atlas of 21st Century World Architecture from Phaidon Press. Call it a coffee table book, but it is one that people will want to look through a lot. The big book is about 20 lbs and 800 pages of pictures and detail rich content that is perfect for anyone with even a mild interest in architecture. I can't put the book down - each full page is dedicated to a specific structure, complete with technical layouts, photographs, and discussions of the building function, design, and about the architect. Structures include single family homes to massive complexes. Further, the book is arranged into color-coded sections by continent. That makes it easy to see the differences in architecture by region as well as culture.

Remember that the Atlas contains new buildings, all from the 21st century. You really get an incredible survey of how varied modern architecture really is. In addition to this publication, Phaidon produces a range of topical publications that would likely suit just about anyone, of any age or interest type. A great gift or for yourself. I just got too excited about this book not to blog about it. Retail price is $195, available direct from Phaidon.

Tags: architecture, atlas of 21st century architecture, AtlasOf21stCenturyArchitecture, book, gift, phaidon

Wristwatch Annual 2010 Catalog Better Than Ever

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Books

The aptly named "Wrist Watch Annual" line of yearly guides to the world of watches has now been released for 2010. Somewhere between a book and a magazine, this uber resource is the finest print publication that you can get when it comes to spending time in the world of watches. The guide covers many brands, each with a survey of their new and popular models - complete with images, movements, specs, and prices! The latter of which are hard to find.

The book also features a new pictorial glossary of watch terms both common and obscure. It is now possible for you, with this brief eduction, to know what I am talking about half the time in my many watch-centric articles. I personally give credit to a previous version of Wrist Watch Annual back in 2002, for really acting as the catalyst to my intense passion for watches that I have today. It is a powerfully enjoyable publication, and beautifully made. Price is just $35 direct from the publisher website here. 456 pages of horological enjoyment with 1,400 full color images. I don't say this too often, but the books are almost drool worthy if you are anything like me. After you click over to the publisher's page, you have access to more information as well as screen shots of Wristwatch Annual 2010's select pages. A must have for all new and existing watch lovers out there.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogotoRead.com.

Tags: 2010, book, guide, timepiece, watch, Wristwatch annual, WristwatchAnnual

Is There a $100,000 Book on Your Shelf?

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Books

One lucky British family happened to see a photo of the spine of a first edition of "On the Origin of Species" by Charles Darwin. Don't we have that at home?, they thought.

They did. According to Reuters, the book was purchased for "a few shillings" in the 60s or 70s and has been sitting on the shelf, undiscovered, until now. Tuesday marks the edition's 150 year anniversary, and it will be auctioned off at Christie's. It is estimated that the book is worth £40,000 - £60,000 ($66,000 - $100,000).

If you've got a first edition or a very old book on your shelf, if might be worth searching it on abebooks.com and alibris.com to see if it's commanding a high price. The price of your book will be affected by the rarity of the edition, condition, and things like typos or signatures. Empty Mirror Books offers more insight here.

**Update 9:20 PM, 11/24/2009**
Guess what it fetched at London's Christie's? Including the buyer's premium, it sold for £103,250 -- about $172,000 -- almost twice the maximum estimated price. The AP reports that the shelf it was sitting on was a "toilet bookshelf." If you've got Darwin in your collection, you might want to note that British authorities are reportedly "searching for a leather-bound notebook Charles Darwin used in developing his theory of natural selection."

[via Reuters]

Tags: book, Charles Darwin, CharlesDarwin, first edition, FirstEdition

Vanity Fair's Proust Questionnaires Compiled in New Book

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Books

<I>Vanity Fair</I>'s Proust Questionnaires Compiled in New Book

Sometimes I find it challenging to get through an issue of Vanity Fair, with its overuse of the word "legendary" and its snobbiness. But I enjoy the back-page Proust Questionnaire, and VF is guessing the rest of the world does too. It just released a compilation of the monthly magazine's department -- which has been in VF since 1993 -- in a hardcover book, Vanity Fair's Proust Questionnaire: 101 Luminaries Ponder Love, Death, Happiness, and the Meaning of Life (Rodale Books, October 2009).

Edited by VF editor Graydon Carter with illustrations by Risko, who illustrates the department each issue, the 224-page book sells for $23.99.

Read Carter's take on his new book, and learn that neither Proust nor VF invented the questionnaire, in VF's November 2009 issue's Society section. And be sure to take the questionnaire yourself.

Tags: book, books, Graydon Carter, GraydonCarter, Proust, Risko, Vanity Fair, VanityFair

Win A Copy Of The New Secrets Of Style

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Books

Sometimes we all need a reminder of the basics of good style. InStyle is releasing the latest new edition of its top-selling classic, The New Secrets of Style (Time, Inc. Home Entertainment, $29.95) on October 27, 2009. This comprehensive style resource features expert guidance for looking fabulous with confidence and ease. The book uses celebrity examples to discusses the finer points of effortless and timeless dressing. Each chapter analyzes different aspects of a wardrobe, from lingerie to coats, and features "flattery" charts arranged by body type. Written by the editors of InStyle, The New Secrets of Style includes chapters on shoes, bags, jewelry and shows how to combine the various types of accessories with specific outfits to create an elegant, unfussy look.

We received a copy of this book to give away to one reader. To enter leave a comment with your own style tip below.

Some other important details:

* To enter, leave a confirmed comment below.
* The comment must be left and confirmed before October 30, 2009 at 5:00PM Eastern Time.
* You may only enter once.
* One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
* One winner will receive a copy of The New Secrets of Style valued at $29.95.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia.

See complete contest rules here.

This contest is closed. Thank you for your participation.

Tags: book, fashion, giveaway, style

Would You Pay $1,000 For Ted Kennedy's Memoirs?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Books

My colleague Jared Paul Stern recently reported that Hugh Hefner's biography will run $1,300 a figure no doubt made more tempting by the inclusion of selections from Playboy magazine. But will readers pay $1,000 for Ted Kennedy's memoir, "True Compass?" The NY Times Media Decoder blog says that the publisher, Twelve, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing will issue a limited edition run of 1,000 leather-bound and electronically-signed versions of the memoir. The limited edition will include family photos that are not available in the standard hardcover. The edition will be sold through Hachette Book Group, the parent company of Grand Central of which Twelve is an imprint. Standard copies will sell for $35 and the book will be released in October.

Kennedy is said to have received $8 million for the book which he wrote with Ron Powers, an author of "Flags of Our Fathers." Kennedy is far from the first political figure with an expensive book. A limited edition of President Clinton's massive "My Life" sold for $350 and a leather-bound version of President Reagan's memoir "An American Life" was sold for $1,500 back in 1990.

Gallery: The Pricey Tomes

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Tags: biography, book, edward kennedy, EdwardKennedy, memoir, ted kennedy, TedKennedy, true compass, TrueCompass

Harry Potter Book Sells For Over $19,000

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Books

The Harry Potter economy is alive and well. A softcover copy of the first Harry Potter book sold for a record $19,120 in a rare books auction through Heritage Auction Galleries in Dallas Texas on Friday. The 1997 first edition of Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone with the original publisher's illustrated softcover wrappers also featured an illustrated card signed by the author, J. K. Rowling. There were only 200 copies in the first printing and the winning bid this time was nearly double the previous record for this book set last October ($10,750). The winning bidder is from Dubai and is said to be a comic book collector whose wife is a Harry Potter fan.

Gallery: Documents At Auction

Tags: auction, book, harry potter, HarryPotter, rare books, RareBooks

Barbie's Big Pink Book

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Books

As we mentioned recently, it's Barbie's 50th birthday. In addition to getting her own tiny Louboutins, she's also getting her own book. The Ultimate Collection: Barbie book from Assouline is a Barbie-pink book which is assembled using the traditional anglaise technique and color-tipped by hand on art-quality paper. The book covers Barbie history, Barbie fashion and features pictures of vintage Barbies and Barbie accessories. The book is 14" x 17" and has 128 pages. It sells for $500.

[via View On Fashion]

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Tags: assouline, barbie, book

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