California Tile: The Golden Era, 1910-1940: Acme to Handcraft [Hardcover]

Joseph A. Taylor (Other Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2007

For centuries handcrafted tile has been a predominant decorative surface in tropical climes from Middle East through the Gulf of Mexico to California. California tile makers excelled in their craft during the first half of the twentieth century, producing richly patterned designs for building facades, interiors, garden ornamentation, furniture, and even serving pieces. "Old California" art tile is rich in tradition and innovation. Over 1700 color images in two volumes, comprise this comprehensive collection, with essays on early California tile companies. Arranged alphabetically by company, this volume includes hundreds of tiles from: Acme, Alhambra, American Encaustic, Arequipa, Batchelder, Brayton Laguna, Cal Art, California China Products, Calco, California Faience, Catalina, Cathedral Oaks, Claycraft, D. & M., Dec Art, Gladding, McBean, and Handcraft. Its companion volume covers potteries from Hispano-Moresque to Woolenius, with an additional chapter on tile furnishings and crafts from Cellini-Craft, Hillside Pottery, and Monterey Furniture. Both volumes are enriched by rarely seen archival photographs including historical site installations and have useful guides to tile terminology and techniques. This landmark publication, designed to broaden appreciation of this colorful and varied aspect of American decorative arts, will serve to inspire and guide architects, designers, collectors, and historians alike.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: Schiffer Publishing; First Edition edition (July 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764319426
• ISBN-13: 978-0764319426
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 8.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,115,402 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, but Dang! Where's the rest of it?, February 23, 2004

By 

Sandpeep (Alameda, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: California Tile: The Golden Era, 1910-1940: Acme to Handcraft (Hardcover)

Without a doubt, this has got to be one of the best, if not the best book on Arts and Crafts Tile I've seen, and I've got them all. Although dealing with California tile makers only, there's enough material here to fill two books - and in fact, that's what they did! I didn't realize that this is really Vol. I of II, the other covers the rest of the H's down to the Z's. And that's my only gripe - $82 if one buys both, AND now I have to wait 4-5 weeks for the 2nd part. But as a reference to companies and what they made, this book is outstanding. Can hardly wait - Note, the cost of this book has gone up from $41 to the present $59.59 - So, I'd suggest buying the second vol now, before that goes up also. Note II there are two DIFFERENT Books the first covers Tiles from A to half way through the H's, the Second volume covers the rest of the H's down to the Z's. Even though they have different ISBN's Amazon seems to be getting them mixed up, calling the first the "Hardcover" the second book the "updated" book. There are two books, get them both! The 2nd book just as good as the first! 2006 update - these two books remain about the best for CALIFORNIA tiles, but The Encyclopedia of American Art Tiles (by Norman Karlson) Vols. 3 and 4 are just as good. However Norman's books (as great as they are) are a bit pricey - You just want California tiles? Then stick with the California Tile books (one and two) But want to have the best reference for ALL the U.S.? Then go with Karlson, but you will easily spend $200-$240 to get all four vols. If you go with Karlson, then you don't need this California book.