Modern Books
MODERN STYLE
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
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Style: Modern
Frey Houses
Located in Richmond, VA
Vintage paperback coffee table book featuring the homes of Albert Frey. By Jennifer Golub, published in 1999. First edition, 83 pages.
"This book is pri...
Category
1990s Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Richard Meier
Located in Richmond, VA
Vintage hardback coffee table book featuring the Weishaupt project designed by Richard Meier. By Werner Blaser, published in 1993. 1st edition, 95 pag...
Category
1990s Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Christie's Dec. 2010 Important 20th C Deco, Art Collection of Max Palevsky
Located in valatie, NY
Christie's December 2010 Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design Collection of Max Palevsky. 1st Ed softcover auction catalog 426 lots illustrated in color and fully described...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Hannah Wilke Retrospective Book with Drawing and Signature
By Hannah Wilke
Located in New York, NY
Hard bound first edition monograph on pioneering feminist artist/performance artist Hannah Wilke. Titled "Hannah Wilke: A Retrospective," it was published in 1989 in conjunction with...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Amazing Book of the work of Enrique Metinides, master of Tabloid Photojournalism
By Enrique Miralda
Located in Mexico, DF
Hard to find book showcasing the work of Enrique Metinides (Feb. 1934- Jan. 2022) Mexican photojournalist known for his amazing and shocking photos o...
Category
Early 2000s Mexican Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Meddlesome & Mettlesome Exhibition Catalog Press Sheet Lot Contemporary Artwork
Located in Dayton, OH
Lot of unbound press sheet pages and portfolio covers for the 1993 exhibition catalog of “Mettlesome & Meddlesome: Selections from the Collection of Ro...
Category
1990s Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Miro by Jacques Dupin Flammarion
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Miro by Jacques Dupin Flammarion, 2012 Hardcover.
Synopsis: Jacques Dupin, esteemed French poet and Miró’s friend and collaborator since 1956, is the ultimate authority on the artis...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Frederick Kiesler
Located in Richmond, VA
Vintage paperback coffee table book featuring a retrospective of the work of architect and stage designer, Frederick Kiesler. By Lisa Phillips, publi...
Category
1980s Vintage Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Design Impact, A History of Art Center College of Design Alumni Vision Culture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Design Impact - A History of Art Center College of Design Alumni Vision culture.
A History of Art Center College of Design and the Myriad Ways its Alum...
Category
20th Century American Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Styles of Living The Best of Casa Vogue Vercelloni, Isa Coffee Table Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Styles of Living: The Best of Casa Vogue coffee table hardcover book.
by Isa Vercelloni
New York: Rizzoli, 1985.
This is a compendium of fabulous houses, unashamedly showcasing the lifestyles of the very rich and very famous.
Includes homes lived in and/or designed by Peter Eisenman, Fred Fisher, Marco Zanuso, Andrew Batey, Mark Mack, Guido Canali...
Category
20th Century English Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Calder The Complete Bronzes Book
Located in New York, NY
Calder: The Complete Bronzes book. Published on the occasion of the exhibition; October 25 - December 8, 2012, New York, New York. This exhibition book is a great addition to a colle...
Category
2010s American Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Pablo Picasso Collectible Art Book First Edition, 1955
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage, 1955, first edition, Picasso, S.P.A.D.E.M. Paris, Boeck and Sabartes,
Vintage, Pablo Picasso, First Edition, 1955.
Pablo Picasso, Library or Coffee Table Book,.
Description:...
Category
20th Century Spanish Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Christies May 2005, 20th Century Decorative Arts, Paris, 1st Ed
Located in valatie, NY
Christies May 2005, 20th Century Decorative Arts, Paris, 1st Ed. 66 lots on 88 pages photographed in color and described. With results.
NPT Books, a division of Trent Antiques, has...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Famous Artists: Miro Life And Work Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Miro (Famous Artists)
Explores Miro's life and development as an artist, his entry into surrealism, and his versatility in abstract expression. Includes...
Category
20th Century American Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Paris Berlin 1900-1933 Coffee Table Book
Located in New York, NY
The 'Paris Berlin 1900-1933 ' is a soft-cover book covering an exhibition from July 12-November 6, 1978, at The Centre Pompidou, Paris, France. Book cover...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Books
Materials
Paper
David Rago & John Sollo Auction Catalogs, 20th C Modern 3/2002, 10/2003
Located in valatie, NY
David Rago & John Sollo Auction Catalogs, 20th c Modern 3/2022, 10/2003. A pair of 1st Ed softcover auction catalogs 20th c modern. 2002 catalog with results. A total of 1796 lots ph...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Greatest of All Time 'GOAT' a Tribute to Muhammad Ali Promotional Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Greatest of All Time (GOAT) a Tribute to Muhammad Ali.
Muhammad Ali Greatest of All Time Promotional Limited Edition: TASCHEN Promotional book in a tube.
The publisher prospectus...
Category
20th Century German Modern Books
Materials
Paper
The Spiritual in Art Abstract Painting 1890-1985 Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985 Art Book.
Judi Freeman, Carel Blotkamp
Abbeville Press, 1987 - Art - 435 pages. Paperback.
Traces the use of geometric signs by t...
Category
20th Century French Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Hello, My Name Is Paul Smith: Fashion and Other Stories Book
By Paul Smith
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hello, My Name is Paul Smith: Fashion and Other Stories
Paul Smith, Deyan Sudjic, Donna Loveday.
Rizzoli London.
Hardcover book.
The wonderful show ...
Category
20th Century American Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Pablo Picasso, a Retrospective, Library or Coffee Table Book, 1980 New York
Located in New York, NY
Pablo Picasso: A Retrospective, The Museum on Modern Art, New York, library or coffee table book, 1980.
Published on the occasion of the exhibition "Pablo Picasso: A Retrospective,...
Category
20th Century American Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Joan Miro Kalender 2015
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Joan Miro Kalender 2015,
Beautiful artistic calender after the painting of Joan Miro.
This is a beautiful collectible booklet.
Category
20th Century European Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Fabergé Court Jeweler to the Tsars Hardcover Table Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Faberge: Court Jeweler to the Tsars Book by Solodkoff, Rizzoli 1984.
Fabergé: Court Jeweler to the Tsars
Fabergé, Court Jeweler to the Tsars by G. von Habsburg-Lothringen and A. von Solodkoff. New York: Rizzoli, 1979. First English edition hardcover with slip case. 171 pp. A book on the history of Carl Fabergé and his work. For more than 35 years, Peter Carl Fabergé (1846-1920) was purveyor of exquisite creations in jewels and precious metals to European royalty, most notably Russia and England, and to the wealthy of the world. He was a designer of unsurpassed ingenuity and delicacy. He turned out a profusion of jeweled flowers in rock-crystal pots, enameled cigarette cases, desk sets in multicolored gold, silver and platinum, gold sedan chairs and coronation coaches...
Category
20th Century American Modern Books
Materials
Paper
A History of Ballet and Dance in the Western World Book by Alexander Bland
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A History of Ballet and Dance in the Western World Book by Alexander Bland.
Title A History of Ballet and Dance in the Western World
Author Alexander Bland
Publisher Praeger, 1976...
Category
20th Century American Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Fifty Years of Pep A Storied Past, A Promising Future, Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Fifty Years of Pep: A Storied Past. A Promising Future. Hardcover – January 1, 2015
by Andrew Postman (Author), Indra K. Nooyi (Foreword)
"This book contains the story of our first...
Category
20th Century American Modern Books
Materials
Paper
The Big Book Of Harley-Davidson Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Big Book Of Harley-Davidson:
Official Publication by Harley-Davidson, Inc.
Bolfert, Thomas C.
Published by Harley-Davidson Inc. Milwaukee, 1989
The Big Book Of Harley-Davidso...
Category
1990s American Modern Books
Materials
Paper
50 of the World's Best Apartments Coffee Table Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Is apartment living the way of the future? According to some, it's the only way to live. For most apartment-dwellers, beautiful views, functional floor plans, low maintenance and convenient, inner-city locations far outweigh the attributes of the traditional quarter-acre suburban block. This book presents, through text, superb floor photographs and floor plans, 50 of the best apartments from around the world. Focusing on fabulous interiors, this book is a digest of the myriad ways to fit out spaces that often begin as concrete shells, but are transformed, through the talents of the best interior architects and designers, into luxurious penthouses, funky lofts, hip apartments, sleek bachelor pads and sumptuous family homes. An inspiring sourcebook for all lovers of beautiful interiors.
Title Fifty of the World's Best Apartments
Editor Robyn Beaver...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Visionaire Limited Edition Number 28 “The Bible”
By Visionaire
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A rare Visionaire edition number 28. Entitled “the Bible” from a Palm Springs Estate that had a large Visionaire collection. Bible is #186 in a worldwide edi...
Category
1990s American Modern Books
Materials
Plastic
Seaman Schepps, A Century of New York Jewelry Design, 2000s
Located in New York, NY
'Seaman Schepps, A Century of New York Jewelry Design', a gorgeous coffee table or library book on this iconic American jewelry maker/designer who grew up in New York's LES (Lower Ea...
Category
20th Century American Modern Books
Materials
Paper
History Of Modern Art by Arnason, H. H., Mansfield, Elizabeth C.
Located in North Hollywood, CA
History Of Modern Art
By Arnason, H. H.; Mansfield, Elizabeth C.
For undergraduate course in Modern Art, Origins of Modernism, Art since 1945, Contemporary Art and other courses fo...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Ottoman Costumes Turkish Hardcover, January 1, 1986 Coffee Table Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Ottoman Costume Book (Turkish) Hardcover, January 1, 1986.
by Fenerci Mehmed Fenerci MehmeT Album (Author)
From the 15th century on, Europeans attemp...
Category
Late 20th Century Turkish Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Shops & Boutiques, Foreword by Giorgio Armani by Grant Camden Kirkkpatric AIA
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Shops & Boutiques. Foreword by Giorgio Armani. Grant Camden Kirkkpatric AIA.
Published by NY: PBC Interational, INC., (1994).
179 pages. Hardcover.
"Never before has the relations...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Art Director's Index to Photographers No. 5 Hardcover, January 1, 1977 Book
By Sam Haskins
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Art Director's Index to Photographers No. 5 Hardcover, January 1, 1977
by Mark David Chapman (Author), Sam Haskins (Photographer), chiefly (Illustrator)
Art directors' index no. 5:...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Books
Materials
Paper
"The Making of Evita Book by Alan Parker" Coffee Table Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
“The making of Evita Book by Alan Parker” coffee table book
Featuring an introduction by Madonna, the film's star, a behind-the-scenes account of ...
Category
1990s American Modern Books
Materials
Paper
From the Far West Carpets and Textiles of Morocco Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
From the Far West Carpets and Textiles of Morocco
Fiske, Patricia L. and Pickering, W. Russell and Yohe, Ralph S.
in black cloth covered board ...
Category
1980s Moroccan Vintage Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Angel's World the New York Photographs of Angelo Rizzoto. Lesy, Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Angel's World: The New York Photographs of Angelo Rizzoto.
Lesy, Michael
First edition of this collection of photographs. Quarto, original black cloth, illustrated. Inscribed by Mi...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Over the Desert Au Fil du Désert Textiles from the Nomadic Desert Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Over the Desert - Tents And Weaving Of Nomadic Pastors.
Au fil du de´sert: Tentes et tissages des pasteurs nomades de Me´diterrane´e
(French Edition)
(French language) Paperback...
Category
1990s Moroccan Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Edith Wharton The House of Mirth, First Edition, 1905
Located in London, GB
Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth. Published by Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, 1905. First edition, first issue
This is the book that launched Whart...
Category
Early 20th Century American Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Andy Warhol Cover Post-War & Contemporary Art Christie's New York Catalog Book
Located in New York, NY
An Andy Warhol cover Post-War and Contemporary Art Christie's New York 'Evening Sale' catalog book, 2010.
A beautifully done catalog book (soft-cove...
Category
2010s American Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Kai Kein Respekt 'Kai no Respect' by Kai Althoff
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The book titled "Kai Kein Respect" accompanies the first major survey exhibition of Kai Althoff, one of the most compelling and original voices in Contempo...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Visionaire Number 38 “Love” Limited Edition
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A lovely “LOVE” box numbered 3465 of 4000 edition by Tiffany & Co. A rare very desirable edition. From a Palm Springs Visionaire Collectors estate.
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Books
Materials
Paper
The Genius of Charles James 1982 Exhibition Catalogue Book
By Charles James
Located in Stamford, CT
The Genius of Charles James exhibition catalogue by Elizabeth Ann Coleman. Book accompanied the 1982 Brooklyn Museum show. Soft cover first edition.
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Books
Materials
Paper
The Luminous Years by Karl Bissinger
Located in New York, NY
First edition of The Luminous Years: Portraits at midcentury by Karl Bissinger. Hardcover with plastic dust-jacket. It's a collection of Bissinger's ric...
Category
Early 2000s Modern Books
Materials
Plastic, Paper
Visionaire Number 36 Power Numbered Edition
By Visionaire
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A rare Visionaire number 36 entitled Power. From a collector’s Palm Springs estate. Edition numbered 078 of 5.000 numbered copies.
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Books
Materials
Plastic, Paper
Venini Book, Limited Edition, 1978
Located in Sacile, PN
Venini book, 500 limited edition copies ed. 1978-
Black aluminium cover 135 fine color illustrations.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Books
Materials
Aluminum
Barovier e Toso Book 184 Illustrations from 1866-1972
By Marina Barovier
Located in Sacile, PN
Barovier e Toso book by Marina Barovier 1993.
212 pages with 184 colored illustractions from 1866-1972.
Category
1990s Italian Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Orologi Da Polso Book, 771 Illustrations, 401 Pages, 1988
By Priula & Verlucca, H. Kahlert, R. Muhe, G.L. Brunner
Located in Sacile, PN
Orologi Da Polso book Priula e Verlucchi edition 1988
771 illustrations, 401 pages.
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Books
Materials
Paper
1957-1962, Rare Georges Braque 'Au Vent d'Arles' Archive Books and Lithographs
Located in Paris, FR
Extremely rare set of Georges Braque archives maquettes books and lithographs created with the publisher 'Au Vent d'Arles', Paris.
The set is composed with:
- L'Ordre des Oiseaux (...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Books
Materials
Paper
David Bailey, NY JS DB 62, Signed
By David Bailey
Located in London, GB
Signed first edition, published by Steidl, 2007.
NY JS DB 62 compiles photographs taken by David Bailey, one of the most successful British fashion and portrait photographers of his...
Category
Early 2000s German Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Africa, Tribal Art of Forest and Savanna
Located in London, GB
Africa, Tribal Art of Forest and Savanna, 1st edition, Published by Thames & Hudson, 1980.
Over 200 treasures of African art drawn from rarely seen private collections and beautiful...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Gary Hume, A Cat on Lap, Monograph, 1st Edition 2009
By Gary Hume
Located in London, GB
Gary Hume, A Cat on Lap, Monograph
Published by Other Criteria, 2009, 1st Edition
“The first major monograph of the Turner Prize-nominated British painter and sculptor Gary Hume. ...
Category
Early 2000s British Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Alfred Stieglitz - The Key Set Volume I & II
Located in London, GB
Alfred Stieglitz, The Key, Set Volume I & II
Published by National Gallery of Art/Harry N. Abrams, New York, 2002
Few individuals have exerted as profound an influence on 20th-cent...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Buckaroo - Kurt Markus - 1st Edition, Little, Brown & Company, 1987
Located in London, GB
First Edition, published by Little, Brown & Company, Boston, 1987
The photographs collected in 'Buckaroo: Images From the Sagebrush Basin' show why Kurt Markus's photographs of cowboys...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Bvlgari Amanda Triossi Daniela Mascetti 2008
Located in London, GB
Special Edition Published by Electa 2008 English Text in slipcaseThe first book on the famed jeweler. A stunning production, illustrated throughout in colour with numerous photographs of the jewelry that has made Bulgari one of the most expensive...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Tim Walker, Story Teller, 1st Edition
Located in London, GB
Tim Walker, Story Teller
Published by Thames & Hudson, 2017.
When one of the most visually exciting photographers of our times turns fashion stories into fairy tales, the results are unmistakable and inimitable. Though they may soar in scale and ambition to satisfy in meticulous detail one of fashion photography’s most original eyes, they are painstakingly realized – and with no concession to artificial enhancement.
In this collection of Tim Walker’s dazzling images, everything you see was specially constructed; the make-believe really happened. In Walker’s pursuit of the perfect picture no demand appears too unreasonable, no scenario too outlandish, no objective unattainable. The half-forgotten, slow-paced world he conjures up is one of grandeur mixed with eccentricity, of opulence with romanticism and of time stilled entirely. For the most part it is, to say the least, at odds with the pace of 21st-century life.
Some of the biggest names in fashion and contemporary culture are here: Alber Elbaz sporting a pair of rabbit...
Category
2010s Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Valentino Trente Ans de Magie 1st French Edition 1991
Located in London, GB
Valentino Trente Ans de Magie 1st French Edition 1991
Published by Abbeville France 1st Edition 1991
Beautiful book celebrating 30 years of Valentino’s creations.
Dimension: 34cm ...
Category
1990s Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Sean Landers 1990-1995, Improbable History 1st Edition 2010
Located in London, GB
Published by JRP/Ringier 1st Edition 2010Through media as various as paintings, diaristic calendars and performative videos, New York-based artist Sean Landers...
Category
2010s Modern Books
Materials
Paper
The Hermès Scarf: Mystery & Mystique - Nadine Coleno - 1st UK Edition, T&H, 2009
Located in London, GB
First UK Edition, published by Thames & Hudson, London, 2009. Text in English.
Since the first scarf made its debut in 1937, the House of Hermès has produced more than two thousan...
Category
Early 2000s British Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Black Dolls: Unique African American Dolls, 1850–1930
Located in London, GB
Black Dolls by Margo Jefferson. Published by Radius Books/ Mingei International Museum, 2015. Hardback in dust jacket. First Edition.
This important book presents the history of African American...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Modern books for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern books for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage books created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with paper, granite and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern books made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original books, popular names associated with this style include Assouline Publishing, and Phaidon. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for books differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $24 and tops out at $510 while the average work can sell for $51.
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