Miller's: Collecting the 1950's [Hardcover]

Madeleine Marsh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 1997

Conjuring up the festival atmosphere of those days when we never had it so good, Miller's Collecting the 1950s is filled with period classics, ranging from the finest designer creations to the ultimate in chainstore kitsch, from objects worth thousands of dollars to neglected treasures that can still be picked up for under $10. It contains all the essential information a budding collector needs and there is a price guide for every item shown. The book is divided into three sections. Homestyle takes the reader inside the 1950s house, featuring everything from furniture, ceramics and glass to the latest technology, lighting and kitchenware. Fashion uncovers womenswear and examines men's style and desirable accessories. Leisure features children's toys books, movies, and music, capturing the fun of the 1950s and the excitement of its collectables.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Often depicted as the era of bad taste, the 1950s usually evokes little more than poodle skirts and kidney-shaped tables in terms of style. However, as Marsh (also editor of the latest annual Miller's Collectibles Price Guide) points out, it was one of the most important periods in design history. It was the decade that brought high fashion to the masses, the clean look of Scandinavian design, and the expanded use of plastics and synthetic fibers. The results of these (and other) innovations are well illustrated in this book by photos of typical household items and appliances, clothing, costume accessories, toys, and games. References to popular design motifs and a time line of important events help to define attitudes and tastes of the time. Included are background information and current prices for the items. Although this work has British origins, prices are in American dollars. The final section, in which the author attempts to discuss the impact of films and pop music on design, is too brief. Nonetheless, this book would be an interesting and useful addition for all decorative arts collections.?Margarete Gross, Chicago P.L.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Mitchell Beazley (May 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1857326059
• ISBN-13: 978-1857326055
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,656,406 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kitsch-n-Synch, January 14, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Miller's: Collecting the 1950's (Hardcover)

This is an **excellent** resource book! It's not only chock full o' cool color pictures, it has lots of really informative text--a rare combination. Covers furniture (Herman Miller/Saarenen etc), spacey fabric designs, silly kitsch, dishware, lamps, 50s clothing and much, much more. Most books of this sort are either text-heavy, or merely picture books. I highly recommend this for anyone interested in collecting vintage stuff of this period!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real must, March 3, 2000

By 

I P McCann (London, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Miller's: Collecting the 1950's (Hardcover)

A mind-boggling array of beautiful and outlandish objects from the 1950s explained, illustrated and priced, with a real sense of perspective and a light-hearted approach. Every page has something to make the collector gasp, and it's not all just the usual 50s Americana -- there's a strong emphasis on stuff from the UK and Europe, including some glorious textiles and enough emphemera to thrill the most jaded collector. A much-needed guide to a still under-explored era of collectables. A real must for anyone with even the remotest interest in understanding both the era and the origins of the objects that help make it seem so glamorous today.