The Art of the Market [Hardcover]

Bob Tamarkin (Author), Les Krantz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1999

Since the 18th century, stock certificates have visually charted the evolution of American industry. This book brings together a selection of these highly collectible documents.'

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Americans love to collect things, especially things of historical value. Within the past 25 years, collectors have focused on stock certificates, the official term for which is scripophily. This book explains scripophily's popularity in terms of art work and historical significance. The authors, who are both business writers, have compiled a lavishly illustrated work filled with colorful, arcane specimens dating from early Colonial times to the present day. The history of Wall Street has been filled with numerous boom or bust periods, and it is fascinating to see stock certificates--many with the actual signatures of tycoons such as John D. Rockefeller Sr., Cornelius Vanderbilt, or J.P. Morgan--as snapshots representing these time periods. Sadly, as we approach the end of the century, stock certificates are being phased out in favor of electronic bookkeeping. The authors successfully remind us that "business art" need not be an oxymoron. Recommended for public libraries.
-Richard S. Drezen, Washington Post News Research Ctr., Washington, DC
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Award-winning journalist Bob Tamarkin has been an investigative reporter and foreign correspondent for the Chicago Daily News, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, and Senior Editor and Midwest Bureau Chief for Forbes. He has written several books on the financial world, including and The Merc.

Les Krantz has served as editor and publisher of numerous critically acclaimed art books, most notably the American Art Series, which includes the California Art Review, the Chicago Art Review, and The New York Art Review.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Stewart, Tabori and Chang; First edition (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556709382
• ISBN-13: 978-1556709388
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 10.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,129,811 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great business history, May 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Art of the Market (Hardcover)

I received this book as a gift, and was struck at first by its amazing "look"--it has top-notch graphics. The individual stock certificates are remarkable, and the book's authors make these images come to life as symbols of American business. The engraving of the certificates is treated as a vanishing art form, and this collection offers a reminder of just what is being lost as the market becomes more and more "virtual." At a time when more Americans own stock than ever before--and almost none of them, as the authors point out, have ever seen a stock certificate--this book represents nothing less than a hidden history of an American institution. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the stock market, but also to anyone interested in the history of American business and its influence on our culture.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book for scripophily!, April 22, 2000

By 

E. Drum "UVA grad" (Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Art of the Market (Hardcover)

Wonderfully illustrated book showing the true definition of financial art. Beautiful full-color illustrations of stock certificates. Best part of the book is the price. Very affordable (a bargain for the art!)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique and well-executed collection of stock certificates, April 27, 2008

By 

PATRICK SWEENEY "extreme catholic" (NY, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Art of the Market (Hardcover)

The Art of the Market is a unique book that recreates the visual impressions that companies wanted to communicate to the public and shareholders. I especially like the presentation of the whole certificates with detailed enlargements. Shares in certificate form are disappearing so it only through books like this we able to connect with the first 200 years of American business. It's not a substitute for a history of American commerce but a valuable supplement, and for the art it is a worthy book in its own way.