The International Style, a modernist movement within architecture and furniture design that was given its name by American architect Philip Johnson and historian Henry-Russell Hitchcock, was born during the 1920s and ’30s. It gained steam initially in Europe and then in the United States as a response to the first World War. Building projects associated with the movement, as well as vintage International Style chairs, tables and other furnishings, are minimal and pared back.
Pioneers of the International Style — architect Walter Gropius and his Bauhaus colleagues Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer, De Stijl advocate and Dutch architect J.J.P. Oud and visionary designer Le Corbusier — stripped away decorative elements and placed considerable value on functionality and clean lines, integrating the use of industrial materials like steel, concrete and large sheets of glass in their work. Quite aptly, this mode of design and architectural style coincided with an era now known as the Machine Age and became a global symbol of modernism. The primary motive of its practitioners was to address the changing needs of a rapidly industrializing society, especially the demand for office complexes and apartments in large cities, through economical, technologically advanced, yet aesthetically pleasing designs for furniture and buildings.
“Space and light and order. Those are the things that men need just as much as they need bread or a place to sleep,” said Le Corbusier of the philosophy behind his practical modernist architecture.
The International Style’s designers and architects were inspired by the advantages afforded them by the era’s new technology and industrial machinery as well as state-of-the-art materials. Le Corbusier was fond of framing his buildings in steel but reinforced concrete made far more economic sense. He is probably most admired for the iconic private homes and commercial buildings that he designed or codesigned with his cousin Pierre Jeanneret, which are spread across the world, from New York City to Paris to Chandigarh, India. Today, Breuer’s Wassily Lounge chair; the elegant LC series created by Le Corbusier, Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand; and Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair, crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich, are emblems of progressive modernist design and all make prominent use of tubular steel. Vintage originals are the prized cornerstone of collections.
“The International Style is probably the first fundamentally original and widely distributed style since the Gothic,” posited Johnson in the book that accompanied “Modern Architecture: International Exhibition,” an architectural show he cocurated with Hitchcock that featured the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Richard Neutra and others. While the term “International Style” had previously been circulating in Europe, when the show opened at the Museum of Modern Art in 1932, it yielded a much broader application of this important style of design.
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Salvador Dalí Art Book by Robert Descharnes and Gilles Néret, Taschen Press
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Salvador Dalí 1904-1989 by Robert Descharnes and Gilles Néret With dust cover. Publisher: Taschen; First English-language Edition (November 1, 1998) Language: English Hardcov...
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Andre Lurcat: Projets Et Réalisations
By André Lurcat
Located in New York, NY
Monograph on the work of Andre Lurcat, important French modernist architect, designer, urban planner, and younger brother of the textile artist Jean. ...
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HIP Hotels, Hardbound Architecture Design Book – 2011
Located in Philadelphia, PA
HIP Hotels, published by ifengspace Culture & Media Co. Ltd. Hong Kong, 2011 HIP stands for Highly Individual Places. This book is a gateway into the wonderful world of exclusive ho...
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Antique Leather Spine 6 Volumes National Geographic Magazine 1924 1925 and 1926
Located in Miami, FL
Set of antique 1924/1925 and 1926 National Geographic Magazines. 6 Well bound leather-spine & corners and dark cloth books, 2 volumes per year, January-June and July-December. A ti...
Leather, Paper
Repertorio del Design Italiano 1950-2000 by Guiliana Gramigna (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
A 2 volume set of hardback books in a slip case which covers Italian domestic furniture design in the second half of the 20th century. Volume 1 covers 1950-1979, with 269 pages and hundreds of black and white photographs of tables, chairs, other furniture and lighting. Volume 2 covers 1980-2000. 345 pages again having hundreds of black and white photographs of Italian...
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Interior Decor Design & Source Books, Windows, Curtains, Furnishings, Paint, S/4
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A group of four Interior Design source books, all hardcover with jackets. 77 Habits of Highly Creative Interior Designers – Sarah Lynch, 2003 Rockport Publishing 159 pages. In this unique approach to home decorating, more than a dozen top interior designers share their professional secrets on every aspect of style, decor, and furnishings. Size: 8 x 0.5 x 11.2 inches The Complete Book of Paint – David Carter, Text Charles Hemming. Clarkson Potter, 1st American Edition 208 pages. The first book to cover virtually every paint technique and every surface: walls, floors, wood furniture, upholstered fabrics and metalwork. The book outlines 35 projects. Size: 8.8 x 1 x 11.25 inches Window Style – Mary Fox Linton...
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The International Book of Lofts, Slesin & Cliff, Hardcover 1986
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The International Book of Lofts Hardcover – 1st Edition, 1986 – by Suzanne Slesin, Stafford Cliff, and Daniel Rozensztroch A visual feast of some of the most spectacular and inge...
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Frank O Gehry, The Complete Works by Francesco Dal Co. Modern Architecture Book
By Frank Gehry
Located in Philadelphia, PA
One of the world’s great architects, Frank O. Gehry has produced an astonishing body of work. With the artistry of a sculptor and the brilliant articulation of an engineer, Gehry creates constructions that defy categorization. Over three hundred projects and a thousand illustrations — includes, among others, the controversial American Center in Paris; Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis; Nationale-Nedelanden Building (Fred and Ginger Building) in Prague; Vitra Headquarters in Weil am Rhein, Germany; California Aerospace Museum; Loyola Law School in Los Angeles; Chiat Day...
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Design-For-Today, Rare Modernist Magazine, Complete Bound Set, 1933 to 1935, UK
Located in London, Fitzrovia
Design-For-Today, a short lived modernist avant-garde magazine, 1933 to 1935, UK. A rare and hard to come by complete bound set. Articles, images, designs by British architects and designers, as well as emigres ones . Gerald Summers, Wells Coates, Marcel Breuer, Alvar and Aino Aalto, Walter Gropius, László Moholy-Nagy, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Ben Nicholson, Betty Joel, Serge Chermayeff, Keith Murray, Charles Boyton, Ronald Grierson...
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Phaidon Atlas of Contemporary Architecture, Collectible Book in Ghost Carry Case
By Phaidon
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Phaidon Atlas of Contemporary World Architecture is a global survey of the most outstanding works of contemporary architecture from around the world. Organized geographically and...
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Gardening Roses, Herbs, Shrubs, Vegetables, Fruit Trees, Collection of 5 Books
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A collection of five hard-bound gardening books, suitable for the beginner and the advanced gardener alike. Covering a wide range of subjects from Rose...
Paper
People, Passions, Pastimes, and Pleasures: Staffordshire Figures, 1810-1835
Located in Philadelphia, PA
People, Passions, Pastimes, and Pleasures: Staffordshire Figures 1810-1835 – by Myrna Schkolne. First Edition 2006, limited to a run of 1000. The first comprehensive collectors’ r...
Paper
Lofts of Amsterdam by Rudy Baeck, 1st Edition Hardbound Book
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Lofts of Amsterdam by Rudy Stevens and Philippe de Baeck, hardbound with jacket, First Edition, 2000 “Lofts of Amsterdam” is a book about residential and commercial lofts in Amste...
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Premises, Architecture Exhibition Book 1958-1998, Guggenheim Museum
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Premises: Invested Spaces in Visual Arts, Architecture, & Design from France : 1958-1998, Guggenheim Museum Publications, Softbound- 1998 by Benjamin H.D. Buchloh; Denis Hollier; An...
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Antique Investigator Book, Judith Miller 2007 First American Edition with Jacket
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antiques investigator, tips and tricks to help you find the real deal for antiques and collectibles, written by the UK antiques expert Judith Miller. ...
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Hidcote the Garden and Lawrence Johnston, National Trust Book
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Title: HIDCOTE THE GARDEN AND LAWRENCE JOHNSTON. Published by The National Trust, 2007. Hardcover with jacket. Often described as “the most beautiful garden in England,” Hidcote is...
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Jasper Johns by Mark Rosenthal, Museum Edition Trade Paperback, 1988
By Jasper Johns
Located in Philadelphia, PA
“Jasper Johns, Work Since 1974 ” by Mark Rosenthal, a Museum Edition Trade paperback, from the 1988 exhibition mounted at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Jasper Johns (born May 15, ...
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Majolica: A Complete History and Illustrated Survey, Book by Karmason & Stacke
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Majolica: A Complete History and Illustrated Survey, by Marilyn Karmason & Joan Stacke – Updated and Expanded edition, 2002. Out of Print. The first major work on the field, a com...
Paper
Spacemaker Press Landmarks Series, Public Architecture & Sculpture, Volumes 1-6
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Spacemaker Press Landmarks Series, Paperback, volumes 1-6 Public Architectural Landscapes and Sculpture Gardens • 01 Barnsdall Park: A New Master Plan for Frank Lloyd Wright’s C...
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White Ironstone Ceramics Reference Book by Dawn Stoltzfus 1st Edition Paperback
Located in Philadelphia, PA
White ironstone, a survey of its many forms: Undecorated, flow blue, mulberry, copper lustre by Dawn Stoltzfus and Jeffrey Snyder 1st Edition Paperback 1997, A collectors' re...
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Antique Price Guide Book, Judith Miller 2008 First American Edition with Jacket
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A hard bound price guide for antiques and collectibles, written by the UK antiques expert Judith Miller. The Antiques Price Guide 2008 highlights ov...
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Architectural Loft Design & Living Books, set of 3
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A group of three architectural design and living books entitled Lofts. Lofts are former commercial spaces that have been converted for residential use and work environments. With th...
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Bonhams & Butterfield Furniture and Decorative Arts Auction Catalogue, 2004
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An auction catalogue from the Bonhams & Butterfield New York sale of 20th century furniture and decorative arts. The sale featured a wonderful collection of Art Deco furniture and...
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Christie's NY Interiors Auction Catalogues, 2008-2009, Set of Three
By Christie's
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A group of three auction catalogues from the Christie's New York 'Interiors' sales. The Interior sale catalogues are noted for their in-depth writings and beautiful full-color pho...
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Carl Andre, Things in Their Elements
Located in New York, NY
Carl Andre (born 1935), the American minimalist artist, is perhaps best known for his grid-based floor sculptures but also for large, outdoor public artworks and small sculptures, poetry and installations. In this unprecedented comprehensive monograph Alistair Rider here shows that it is the materials that he uses to make his works that inspire him, from his controversial bricks to all sorts of metals, found wood, even hay bales, Andre is fascinated by what materials make up the world and presents them for contemplation. Andre's early wood sculptures show the influence of Brancusi, who he had met through their mutual friend Hollis Frampton...
Paper
Houses, Volume VI, by Thierry Despont, Large Architecture Book, 2008
Located in New York, NY
A large, color book of houses designed by artist and architect Thierry Despont. Volume VI of VI. Born in France, Thierry Despont studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and ear...
Paper
Antique National Cashier Register With the Key
Located in Brea, CA
Antique national cashier register R313 with a key , the drawer can open , there is a key , it is a beautiful piece .
Brass
$880 / set
H 7.49 in W 55.12 in D 5.52 in
Scandinavian Antique Leather-Bound Books, 2000 Books in Brown And Red Available
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A large collection of Scandinavian decorative antique library leather-bound books Please note that the pictures listed are a sample of the books available and not the exact 50 books available. We will send pictures of the actual books before shipping them out. An attractive collection of 2000 mid-size antique leather-bound books. This lot of books on literature from Sweden are wrapped in leather-bound covers, comprised of varying rich, warm tones and gold leaf print embossing. The books seated side-by-side measures 2,5 meters, approximate 8´2 foot run. This collection of antique Swedish books are ready to ship and take their place, handsomely adorning your bookcase or library shelves...
Leather, Paper
Love How You Live: Adventures in Interior Design
Located in New York, NY
The first book from the AD100 interior designer renowned for joyful, vibrant, intensely personal homes imbued with art, pattern, and craftsmanship A decidedly global outlook best de...
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Modern Furnishings For The Home (1st edition)
Located in New York, NY
First edition of William J. Hennessey’s Modern Furnishings for the Home, published in 1952 by the Reinhold Publishing Corporation. Billed as “a comprehensive catalog with over 480 av...
Paper
$1,850
H 12.25 in W 8.75 in D 1.63 in
Salvador Dali Art Recipe Book, Les Diners de Gala, 1971 France, First Edition
Located in New York, NY
A rare, collectable, first edition, Salvador Dali art and recipe cookbook, 'Les Diners de Gala', 1971, Paris, France. (Copy/text is in English language.) A great piece to add to a co...
Paper
Red Thread Nordic Design Book
Located in New York, NY
An elegant exploration of the hugely influential simplicity, beauty, and functionality of Nordic design timeless, yet on trend From literature to food...
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30:30 Landscape Architecture Book
Located in New York, NY
30 internationally renowned landscape architects showcase their own work as well as that of 30 of the best of a new generation of forward looking and innovative designers. This up-to-date overview of contemporary landscape architecture...
Paper
Móvel Moderno Brasileiro, Brazilian Modern Design, Book
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
The Brazilian modern design book extensively classifies the work of 15 of the most representative Brazilian furniture designers in the mod...
Paper
$540 / item
H 10.25 in W 8.75 in D 1 in
Jorge Zalszupin Modern Design in Brazil Book by Maria Loschiavo dos Santos
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jorge Zalszupin Modern Design in Brazil book by Maria Cecilia Loschiavo dos Santos published in Brazil in 2014 in Portuguese and English. Never published i...
Paper
$150 / item
H 12 in W 9 in D 1.5 in
Selection of Coffee Table Books - Architecture and Interior Design
By Robert Adam, David Adler
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of Coffee Table Books, priced at $150 each. If one of the books is sold, it will have SOLD next to the title below. These books are all from the estate of . was the Preside...
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Anselm Kiefer by Mark Rosenthal, Museum Edition Trade Paperback, 1987
By Anselm Kiefer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
“Anselm Kiefer” by Mark Rosenthal– a Museum Edition Trade paperback from the 1987 exhibition mounted in Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, and the MOMA in New York. Anselm Kiefer ...
Paper
The City of Tomorrow and its Planning 'Le Corbusier'
By Le Corbusier
Located in New York, NY
First American edition of Le Corbusier’s authoritative and influential tome on rationalist (read geometric) urban planning, wherein “the author has undertaken a close survey of the e...
Paper
Herzog & de Meuron 1981-2000 Architecture Hardbound Book
Located in Philadelphia, PA
HERZOG & DE MEURON 1981-2000 – English and Spanish Edition – with dust jacket. Combined and updated version of the issues 60 and 84. Added are recently completed buildings such as the Tate Gallery of Modern Art in London...
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H 1 in W 9.5 in D 12 in
Viva Picasso: a Centennial Celebration 1881-1981 Hardcover Book with Jacket
By David Duncan
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Viva Picasso: a Centennial Celebration 1881-1981 Hardcover – May 1, 1981 – by David Douglas Duncan A photography book showing Duncan’s photographs of...
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H 1.5 in W 12 in D 13.5 in
Pistils - Robert Mapplethorpe, Photography Hardcover Cased Book 1st Edition 1996
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pistils, Photographs by Robert Mapplethorpe with an Essay by John Ashbery. Hardcover in case and dust jacket – 1st Edition, 1996 Robert Mapplethorpe began taking photographs in th...
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The Most Beautiful Gardens in the World, Hardcover Book, 2004
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Most Beautiful Gardens in the World, Hardcover – 1st Edition. by Alain Le Toquin (Photographer), Jacques Bosser (Contributor) A pictorial tour of thirty-two public and private gardens celebrates their history and diversity and includes Majorelle in Morocco, the Versailles gardens...
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The Great Edwardian Gardens of Harold Peto, Hardcover Book –2007
By Aurum LTD
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Great Edwardian Gardens of Harold Peto: From the Archives of Country Life, by Robin Whalley, Hardcover – May 1, 2007 The gardens of the great Edwardian landscape designer are captured in all their glory in 200 color and duotone images from the archives of Country Life. Harold Peto (1854–1933) was one of the most celebrated landscape designers of the Edwardian era. A leading exponent of the ultra-romantic Italianate style...
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Richard Meier: Houses 1962/1997, Coffee Table Book - 1st Edition
By Rizzoli International Publications
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Richard Meier: Houses 1962/1997 Hardcover – September 15, 1996 by Richard Meier and Paul Goldberger This oversized book presents 14 built American h...
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H 12.25 in W 9.25 in D 1.75 in
Louis i. Kahn: in the Realm of Architecture Coffee Table Book – 1st Edition 1991
By Rizzoli International Publications
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Louis I. Kahn: In the Realm of Architecture – 1st Edition, 1991 Louis I. Kahn is considered one of the 20th century’s greatest architects and teachers. This...
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H 1 in W 10 in D 12.5 in
“Weekend Utopia: Modern Living in the Hamptons” – 1st Edition Architecture Book
Located in Philadelphia, PA
“Weekend Utopia: Modern Living in the Hamptons” by Alistair Gordon, Princeton Press, 1st Edition 2001 With dust jacket. From the publisher: The Hamptons, New York’s fashionable summer beach resorts, are well known as weekend havens for city-dwellers who relish their idyllic setting on the Atlantic shore. Once quiet agricultural land, Eastern Long Island first became popular among artists, architects, writers, and society patrons in the 1920s, when it served as a breeding ground for modernism. From the avant-garde influence of luminaries like Jackson Pollock, Robert Motherwell, and Willem de Kooning, to the high modernism of Le Corbusier, Philip Johnson, and Richard Meier, new ideas about art, architecture, and modern living transformed the Hamptons. In Weekend Utopia Alastair Gordon...
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H 1 in W 8 in D 13.75 in
“Bravehearts – Men In Skirts” MOMA Costume Institute, 1st Edition Shrink Wrapped
Located in Philadelphia, PA
“Bravehearts: Men in Skirts” Hardcover – 1st Edition, 2003 – by Andrew Bolton. Shrink-wrapped. From the publisher: What do Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Prince Charles, and Boy George have in common? These and other sharply dressed, sexually secure, 21st-century men are incorporating skirts into their wardrobes. In this provocative, one-of-a-kind book, Andrew Bolton traces the warrior origins of kilts and sarongs and reveals how, far from feminizing men, skirts actually reinforce their virility. Some 150 photographs illustrate this colorful salute to the growing numbers of the few, if proud, men in skirts. The author, Andrew Bolton is the associate curator of the Costume Institute...
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H 1.25 in W 9.5 in D 12.5 in
David Bowie IS, Victoria & Albert Museum Exhibition Book, London Edition
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From the publisher: David Bowie’s career as a pioneering artist spanned nearly 50 years and brought him international acclaim. He continues to be cited as a major influence on conte...
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