Firecrackers: The Art and History [Paperback]

Warren Dotz (Author), Jack Mingo (Author), George Moyer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2000

Universally popular, uncommonly loud, a pyrotechnic spectacle that inspires laughter, delight and a healthy dose of frayed nerves—what else but the firecracker! These little sticks of paper and powder have captured the imagination of cultures the world over since the Chinese invented them centuries ago. As practical, chemical developments in firecracker production proceeded apace, the popular art form of label design flourished, leaving us with a remarkable visual record of the myths and cultural attitudes of the Chinese manufacturers and their markets. FIRECRACKERS explores the art form in detail, linking it to history and exploring its relevance in the various cultures that ceremonialize this peculiar bang. Includes reproductions of over 100 full-color labels, as well as tips on finding and saving firecracker art.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“As history and as a browser's delight, this is excellent.”—Booklist“Difficult to put down even if you have no interest in the topic . . . it's the glorious art that makes this book shine.” —Associated Press“This is a book of interest to both the historian of the art of popular culture and to the collector of ephemera. . . . This volume has been crafted by a team composed of a writer, a researcher, a collector and a publisher. Its admitted purpose is to display the extensive collection of labels assembled by George Moyer, with the hope that the ‘synergy of talents' of this select group would produce a valuable addition to our knowledge of popular culture and its artifacts. It does.”—Visual Resources

About the Author

WARREN DOTZ is a pop culture historian and the author of eight books on advertising art. As an authority on product label art, his commentary has appeared in Advertising Age, Brandweek, and the New York Times Magazine. He lives and works in Berkeley, California.


JACK MINGO is a writer with more than a dozen books and numerous articles in scores of publications to his credit. He lives in Alameda, California.


GEORGE MOYER is a licensed pyrotechnician and a lifelong collector of firecracker labels with one of the largest collections in the United States. He lives in Pottsville, Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Ten Speed Press (July 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580081517
• ISBN-13: 978-1580081511
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 0.4 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #778,360 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Experience the Thrill, August 3, 2000

By 

Joseph W. (Cupertino, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Firecrackers: The Art and History (Paperback)

This book shows great insite into the history of the firecracker and the intricate artwork involved with the packaging of them. The clarity of the illustrations are wonderful, its hard to believe some of the labels are as old as they are. I highly recommend this book to anyone who can remember the excitement of being able to "set off" these firecrackers on the 4th of July, without worrying about breaking the law. Those of you who were not as lucky to experience this thrill, will definitely find this book fun.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Things you were afraid to ask about firecrackers, July 25, 2000

By 

Gary Stewart (Galion, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Firecrackers: The Art and History (Paperback)

(As noted in the last pages of this book, firecrackers are now politically incorrect, suffering the wrath of do-gooders, safety mavens and law enforcement. For those of us old enough to remember a pre-"nanny state" summer, this book brings back wonderful memories. By the time I was old enough to get real cherry bombs, they were outlawed. But I could tell a few stories...)

I always wondered how even today, firecrackers in their millions could be produced. The answer, documented in his book, surprised me. This book reveals the fate of the companies whose names appeared on the labels I saw in the 1960s. Ever wonder what happened to Kwong Hing Tai? The authors reveal how the firecracker trade developed in China and made its way to the United States. Even some of today's importers are mentioned.

Technically speaking, the book is well printed and the illustrations are crisp and sharp, not bad for paper originals that may be most of 100 years old. Although not exhaustive, there is good reference for collectors. I'd recommend you to get a copy of this book while it is still available. I look forward to many hours of pleasure leafing through my copy.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful book that will spark your imagination!, July 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Firecrackers: The Art and History (Paperback)

Just received this stunning book, "Firecrackers: the Art and History" by Warren Dotz, et al and George Moyer. It has brought back a flood of memories of the "good ol days" of my youth. Although I fondly recall blowing off "Black Cat" and "Red Devil" crackers, I had no idea that there were so many other beautiful brand labels produced by so many countries. The images of exploding crackers are reproduced in such vibrant color that you almost have to cover your ears. The authors have apparently gone to great lengths to include archival quality illustrations that really bring to life the historical lineage of firecrackers, from "bursting bamboo" to "atomic bombs". I wholeheartedly recommend this book!