Customer Reviews

Batchelder Tilemaker

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While specific to the works of Batchelder, the photo supplements leave much to be desired - they are too general (a photo of a tiled room is nice, but a few more detail photos would have been most welcome!) and there are simply not enough of them (especially when compared to works referred in text). Overall, I found the book too big (and expensive) for the content delivered.

Not the greatest tile reference, the detail in the photos is poor and hard to see. Most of the historical reference in this book is accurate, but poorly written. I would not purchase this book early in a library building journey, save it for when you have excess money to spend and are just trying to fill and round out your collection.

Ernest Batchelder's ceramic enterprize grew from a home-based business to a nation-wide enterprize: Batchelder Tilemaker follows his life and works, starting with his 1908 venture into entrepreneurship and his establishment of the 1930s Batchelder-Wilson company showrooms. An outstanding, revealing title surveys his life and artistic achievements.

This book is a quick read - it is not much longer than an in-depth magazine article, but it does cover the basics of the life and work of ceramic tile-maker Ernest Batchelder. The best part about the book is the photos - they are many and lavish and if you love ceramics or design from the Arts and Crafts era, you will be purring with pleasure. If you're a fan of Henry Chapman Mercer of the Moravian Tile Works as I am, you'll be intrigued by some of the parallels between the two mens careers - Batchelder was influenced by Mercer and installed some Moravian tiles in his home along with his own.

Batchelder and his wife were prominent in the cultural and civic life of Pasadena, California, so if you are doing any research on the history of that community you might also find this book to be of interest.

One thing that might have been helpful to include in this book is a listing of places where Batchelder tile installations can be viewed. I know from the book "Weaver of Dreams: The Life and Architecture of Robert C. Reamer" that there is a Batchelder fireplace in one of the lodges in Yellowstone Park, a fact which I unfortunately didn't know until after my last visit there. Another reason to come back, as if I needed one! I will be doing some research to see if can work some Batchelder tile-viewing into my future travel plans.

I was so happy to find this book!
To finally find out that the fireplace in my home definitely has Batchelder tiles, and I was SO EXCITED to find the closeup of the peacock tile that exactly matches mine! It has been interesting to find out more about Batchelder and the history of the Arts and Crafts tiles. It makes me smile to see the book sitting at the side of the mantle above my beautiful tiles.

The book arrived quickly and is in nearly new condition - only small tear at edge of jacket - and that would happen on the first day in my house. Enjoyed learning the history behind our fireplace tiles.

When the back cover of a book informs you that the author is reputable, rather than the subject is well written - take it as a warning.

This sophomorically written book is not intended for Arts & Crafts devotes, it is meant for tour guides who wants to get an "Ooo!" or a giggle out of a bus load of little old ladies.

While the photos are fair, I found myself wishing I could actually see what they were showing. I guess the little old ladies are use to not being allowed too close, but I'd like to zoom in, please.

Throughout the book, the reader is assured that the author is highly praised by the Governor of California. Perhaps taxpayers should insist their Governor spend his time more selectively.