japonisme: bertha stuart

16 April 2007

bertha stuart

there is little i could find on the book designer bertha stuart herself, though there seems to be an ongoing, even increasing interest in book design--and special focus on women in the field, and on japonisme.

one source of great knowledge on many of these beautifully designed books can be found here. each of his offerings, and we will visit him again, is carefully described, inside and out, and put into context.

additional selections maybe found here, and again... we'll be back.

and, wonderfully, here, where can be found this: New Century: the 1900s “Poster–style” designs flourish, with simple but eye-catching designs with a two–dimensional feel, and with the cloth color an important space–filling component of the whole; designers aren’t shy about using in–your–face typefaces in large sizes. Cloth grained to resemble natural fabrics is popular. Black–and–white and color relief halftone onlays appear on front covers, often using designs or images similar to those on the books’ dust-jackets. Imaginative designs appear throughout the market, from top–of–the–line luxury productions to cheap series bindings; the overall quality of American cloth bookbinding designs reaches its acme.

[i think someone needs to read this blog.]

lastly, on the wonderful japanese page i introduced yesterday, i found this amazing bertha stuart example. perhaps the best of all.

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10 Comments:

Blogger Diane Dehler said...

These designs are beautiful. It appears that many fine artists have been overlooked in the past. Better for them to have credit later than never.

16 April, 2007 18:38  
Blogger lotusgreen said...

just like the 60s -- a new wave of interest in feminism and in art nouveau

16 April, 2007 21:30  
Blogger Diane Dehler said...

I guess you know that you have material for a great book. I wouldn't be surprised to discover you were writing one.

20 April, 2007 00:20  
Blogger Mark said...

I am always happy to see others interested in book design. For those of you interested in these pages, you might find this web site, on another Boston designer, of use:

http://library.uncg.edu/depts/ref/staff/mark/SackerHomePage.htm

Keep up the great work.

19 July, 2007 10:31  
Blogger lotusgreen said...

wow mark--thank you so much. i've just spent the last hour exploring your comprehensive site.

i'd love to include sackler's work in a post sometime....

19 July, 2007 11:44  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just found your site when I went looking for info on Bertha Stuart. I have been collecting her work for many years without knowing even when she was born, much less anything such as where she went to Art School. I have been re-reading what Charles Gullans had to say about her work. Your scan from the Virginia Book Arts School was one of her best, and I had never seen it. Thanks for the link. Too bad the exhibit ended May 2007. I have asked them if they are going to do a catalog. I will be giving an illustrated talk on women designers of trade bindings, 1876 to about 1915 at the Book Club of Calif., Nov 12. It is open to the public. There will be a checklist for the 100+ books given to attendees. Come if you are near the bay area.

03 November, 2007 15:16  
Blogger lotusgreen said...

welcome john! that's so interesting, and i'm always delighted to learn when my research is of benefit to someone!

i'm in berkeley. thanks for letting me know about this--i'll check it out!

by the way, i have a whole lot of other posts on various women book designers, along with links. if you click the bookbinding link in my sidebar you'll find at least some of them!

03 November, 2007 16:16  
Blogger Unknown said...

"Hello"..... i have read these posts with much interest regarding Bertha Stuart.
I have a post card sent by her in 1904 from Ilkley, it was from one of her exhibitions.
Are you interested in seeing it?
Regards and respect....
Kay

07 October, 2008 18:52  
Blogger Unknown said...

I left a comment earlier but the addy was not right, this one is now my new one.
My message was regarding Bertha Stuart and that i have a signed postcard sent by her in 1904.
Any interested persons plz contact me...

08 October, 2008 01:20  
Blogger lotusgreen said...

hi k--

if you think the content might be of interest to the readers of this blog, i'd love to see a copy--thanks!

12 October, 2008 10:58  

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hi, and thanks so much for stopping by. i spend all too much time thinking my own thoughts about this stuff, so please tell me yours. i thrive on the exchange!

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