Head, Heart and Hand: Elbert Hubbard and the Roycrofters (pb) [Paperback]

Marie Via (Editor), Marjorie Searl (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 24, 1994

This lavishly illustrated catalogue accompanies Rochester's Memorial Art Gallery's 1994 exhibition of the same name, the first major assemblage of objects produced at the Roycroft community in upstate New York under the leadership of the charismatic Elbert Hubbard. A consummate entrepreneur, Hubbard successfully married capitalism with basic tenets of the Arts and Crafts ideology; the Roycrofters sought to personify the best aspects of the American character in their work, which is strong, spare and often surprisingly refined. Most of the 200 works in the exhibition are pictured, with colour photographs of the personalities and places figuring in the Roycroft's peculiar history bringing the community vividly to life. Essays in the catalogue include a sociological overview anchoring the Roycroft in its turn-of-the-century milieu; an examination of the history of the Roycroft shops; and an exploration of Hubbard's role in the creation of America's consumer culture through his trademark brand of advertising and promotion.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: University of Rochester Press; First Edition edition (October 24, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1878822446
• ISBN-13: 978-1878822444
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 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: #1,816,089 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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5.0 out of 5 stars Quality style furniture, January 8, 2011

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This review is from: Head, Heart and Hand: Elbert Hubbard and the Roycrofters (pb) (Paperback)

Reading about the Roycrofter furniture design and crafting, reminds us why some utilitarian pieces become valuable heirlooms and most just disposable expenses. Not only the designs creating a style of a period but the careful quality of the construction create utilitarian pieces that last forever and grow in appeal and appreciation. It also reminds us that it makes economic sense to look for these qualities when purchasing pieces for use because they are likely to last much longer than the mass produced pieces that seem cheaper but which are not sustainable or a good buy. There are more and more quality pieces available today following the Hubbard, Hitchcock, Chippendale, Shaker, Mooberry, examples.