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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chaircrafted 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
Christies Catalogue Topographical Pictures London
Located in Mexico City, MX
Auction catalog with outstanding works of Latin American Art. Ideal for collectors, galleries and art lovers. Illustrated editions, reference piece for collectors.
Category

1990s British Modern Books

Materials

Paper

Alfred Stieglitz - The Key Set Volume I II
By Alfred Stieglitz
Located in CA, CA
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-...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Books

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Paper

From the Far West Carpets and Textiles of Morocco Hardcover Book
Located in Moreno Valley, 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

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Paper

Pirelli Calendar 2008 "Pearls of the Orient" by Patrick Demarchelier
By Pirelli Tyres, Patrick Demarchelier
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Collectible - Pirelli - Demarchelier Measures : ~44cmx60cm Patrick Demarchelier in Shanghai, China. (in original shipping carton) Burgo Group S.p.A / numbered
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Books

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Paper

Picasso Challenging the Past Book by Elizabeth Cowling and Pablo Picasso
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Picasso: Challenging the Past Book by Elizabeth Cowling and Pablo Picasso. Picasso: Challenging the Past Paperback – May 3, 2011 From his earliest years Pablo Picasso was a passion...
Category

20th Century Spanish Modern Books

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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

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Aluminum

René Herbst, Pionnier du Mouvement Moderne, Delaporte, Flammarion, 2004
Located in CA, CA
First Edition, Published by Flammarion in 2004 from the collection of the Archives d’Architecture Intérieure du XXe siècle at the Bibliothèque des Arts Décoratifs, Paris. Text by Guillemette Delaporte. A rich visual and textual archive of the work of French Modernist industrial designer, architect and furniture maker, René Herbst. This French language book...
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Early 2000s French Modern Books

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Paper

Great Modern Architecture: the World s Most Spectacular Buildings Hardcover Book
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Great Modern Architecture: The World's Most Spectacar Buildings Hardcover – January 1, 2009 by Bill Price. From the Publisher "All architecture is shelter...
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Mid-20th Century North American Modern Books

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Paper

Return to Earth, Signed Inscribed by Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, First Edition, 1973
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Aldrin, Edwin, Warga, Wayne, Return to Earth. New York: Random House, 1973. First Edition. Signed and inscribed by Buzz Aldrin on front endpage. In original cloth boards and unclippe...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Books

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Paper

Richard Meier Architect 1992/1999 by Richard Meier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Richard Meier Architect 1992/1999 by Richard Meier.Richard Meier, Architect, Vol. 3: 1992-1998 Paperback – June 12, 1999.The third in a series of Rizzoli monographs on Richard Meier, this volume comprehensively documents the numerous and varied works created since 1992 by one of America's most important architects and a winner of the Pritzker Prize for Architecture. This extensively illustrated presentation, designed by Massimo Vignelli, conveys the purity and power of Meier's celebrated work. Twenty-three projects in all are featured, including federal buildings and courthouses in Islip, New York, and Phoenix, Arizona; the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art; the Museum of Television and Radio in Beverly Hills; the Church of the Year 2000 in Rome; and the widely acclaimed Getty Center in Los Angeles.The development and significance of Richard Meier's work is discussed in two essays by the distinguished architectural historians and critics Kenneth Frampton and Joseph Rykwert...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Books

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Paper

Georgia O Keeffe by Nancy Frazier
Located in Bradenton, FL
Georgia O'Keeffe by Nancy Frazier. Hardcover book with dustjacket. Published in 2004.112 pages with 70 full color, and 15 black and white illustrations.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Books

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Paper

Robert Rauschenberg Combines, 1st Edition, 2005
Located in CA, CA
Published by MOCA in Collaboration with Steidl, 1st edition, 2005 Could there ever have been more enigmatic artist than Raushenberg, much like Cocteau and Picasso he appears to ha...
Category

Early 2000s Modern Books

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Paper

The Big Book Of Harley-Davidson Hardcover Book
Located in Moreno Valley, 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

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Paper

Lillian Bassman Paul Himmel: The First Retrospective - Ingo Taubhorn - 1st ed.
Located in CA, CA
Published by Kehrer Verlag, 1st edition, Hamburg, 2009. Hardback with English and German text. Bassman Kimmel are a powerful duo in the twentieth-century photography scene, th...
Category

Early 2000s German Modern Books

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Paper

Italy The New Domestic Landscape, MoMA, 1972
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Italy: The New Domestic Landscape - MoMA - 1972 some water damage / damage to the dust cover book in general very good condition.
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Books

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Paper

Workbook Single Image #17 By Alexis Scott
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Workbook Single Image #17 By Alexis Scott softcover magazine. Discover a stunning collection of photography and illustrations by a diverse group of talented photographers, showcasing...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Books

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Paper

Architects Eye by Ray Moxley Hardcover 1st Edition 1988
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
n black cloth with gilt titles on spine. With colour photographs and drawings by the author. In an unclipped colour pictorial dust jacket with black titles. 95 pages. Book and dust j...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Books

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Paper

Hello, My Name Is Paul Smith: Fashion and Other Stories Book
Located in Moreno Valley, 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

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Paper

Big Town Big Time Hardcover by Daily News Books The New York Daily News 1999
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Big Town Big Time Hardcover by Daily News Books The New York Daily News 1999. The 100th anniversary of the creation of Greater New York via consolidation of what had previously been ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Books

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Paper

Christies Catalogs specialized auctions
Located in Mexico City, MX
Auction catalog with outstanding works of Latin American Art. Ideal for collectors, galleries and art lovers. Illustrated editions, reference piece for collectors.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Books

Materials

Paper

Jose Sacal A Piece of Work Hardcover 1st Edition 2003
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Jose Sacal: A Piece of Work Hardcover – January 15, 2003.1st English Edition by Jose Sacal and Petru Russu. Sixty-four numbered pages, most of which contain...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Modern Books

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Paper

Led Zeppelin a Photographic Collection Book by Neal Preston
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Led Zeppelin A Photographic Collection Book by Neal Preston. Led Zeppelin: A Photographic Collection Book by Neal Preston. 1st Edition: 2002, out of print. Author: Neal Preston. Softcover book. 192 page large photo history book of the legendary rock band Led Zeppelin.This is a huge soft cover volume, Dimensions: 12 1/2" x 9 1/2" x 1/2" thick. Neal Preston's collection of behind the scenes Led Zeppelin shots are some of the most revealing ever photographed. The more legendary a rock band becomes, the harder it is to peer through the myth. And the more unpredictable and off color their actions, the harder it is for an outsider to get inside and gain their confidence to photograph their real world. Preston and his "candid" camera were right t, on their private jets, at the after shows ; live recording sessions taking unique pictures during their 70's reign as the Lords of Misrule.This is a very sought after and out of print photo collection...
Category

Early 20th Century American Modern Books

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Paper

Michel Comte and Milk A Collaboration 1996-2016 Hardcover in Box
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Michel Comte and Milk: A Collaboration 1996-2016 Hardcover in Box.For more than 35 years, photographer Michel Comte (born 1954) has been one of the most in-demand editorial and fashi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Books

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Paper

Vogue s Book of Houses, Gardens, People - Horst, Vreeland, Lawford - 1st, 1968
By Horst P. Horst, Vogue, Valentine Lawford
Located in CA, CA
First edition, published by the Viking Press, New York in 1968. A collection of interior photos and portraits featuring the opulent houses and affluent people of the 1960s, photogra...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Books

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Paper

Live and Work Modern Homes and Offices The Southern California Architecture
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
LIVE AND WORK: MODERN HOMES AND OFFICES: THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ARCHITECTURE OF SHUBIN + DONALDSON. Hardcover – Illustrated, February 9, 2010 by Thom Mayne...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Books

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Paper

A History of Ballet and Dance in the Western World Book by Alexander Bland
Located in Moreno Valley, 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

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Paper

New Forms Architecture in The 1990s First Edition Hardcover 1997
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
New Forms Architecture in The 1990s First Edition Hardcover 1997.This is the first edition hardcover book "New Forms - Architecture in The 1990s" Int...
Category

Late 20th Century Spanish Modern Books

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Paper

Kai Kein Respekt Kai no Respect by Kai Althoff
Located in Moreno Valley, 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

The National Air and Space Museum Book by Bryan, C. D. B 1st Edition 1979
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
THE NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM by Bryan, C. D. B Hardcover Book Condition Used - Very Good First edition edition 1979 The book is approx 10" x 2" x 11 3/4" and is in a good, vintage condition with light shelf-wear on the dust-jacket. Hardcover, New York: Harry N. Abrams. With many color photographs of the Museum's exhibits. Very heavy book The National Air and Space Museum by C.D.B Byran. Experience the thrill of flying some of the world's most important airplanes and spacecraft. Best Of The National Air And Space Museum provides unprecedented access to the most popular museum in the world. The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum hosts more than 9 million visitors a year, and the newly opened Dulles Center three football fields long and ten stories high is a phenomenon in its own right: in the first week it was opened, some 250,000 people came through the doors. Best Of The National Air And Space Museum features the best of both museums, from the Challenger space shuttle and the Wright flyer...
Category

20th Century American Modern Books

Materials

Paper

Orologi Da Polso Book, 771 Illustrations, 401 Pages, 1988
By H. Kahlert, R. Muhe, G.L. Brunner, Priula Verlucca
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

Set of 10 Curated Danielle Steel Slip-Covered Books for Library/Media Room
Located in Palm Springs, CA
We purchased an entire collection of books from a local Rancho Mirage, California art collector/philanthropist’s chic and perfectly designed home library. An amazing collection or Ar...
Category

1990s Modern Books

Materials

Paper

50 of the World s Best Apartments Coffee Table Book
Located in Moreno Valley, 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

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Paper

Art Director s Index to Photographers No. 5 Hardcover, January 1, 1977 Book
By Sam Haskins
Located in Moreno Valley, 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

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Paper

Miro by Jacques Dupin Flammarion
Located in Moreno Valley, 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

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Paper

Collection of 20 Books, Les 24 heures du Mans, Annual Edition.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Collection of 20 books, Les 24 heures du Mans, annual edition. Collection of 20 books on the 24 hours of Le Mans motor race, Les 24 heures du Mans, annual edition. Each: H:2cm, W: 3...
Category

20th Century French Modern Books

Materials

Paper

BIG Original Charlie chaplin poster by Claudio Oliveira - Baťa , 1992
Located in Praha, CZ
- artist: Claudio Oliveira - newly framed, limited edition - (silk-)screen printing, serigraphy jr
Category

1990s Modern Books

Materials

Glass, Paper

Ottoman Costumes Turkish Hardcover, January 1, 1986 Coffee Table Book
Located in Moreno Valley, 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

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Paper

"The Making of Evita Book by Alan Parker" Coffee Table Book
Located in Moreno Valley, 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

BIG Original poster by Tomas Salamon - Playbo s world / Baťa , 1992
Located in Praha, CZ
- artist: Tomas Salamon - newly framed, limited edition - (silk-)screen printing, serigraphy jr
Category

1990s Modern Books

Materials

Glass, Paper

Set of 10 Curated James Patterson Slip-Covered Books Library/ Media Room Display
Located in Palm Springs, CA
We purchased an entire collection of books from a local Rancho Mirage, California art collector/philanthropist’s chic and perfectly designed home library. An amazing collection or Ar...
Category

1990s Unknown Modern Books

Materials

Paper

Christies Catalogue Topographical Pictures
Located in Mexico City, MX
Auction catalog with outstanding works of Topographical Pictures. Ideal for collectors, galleries and art lovers. Illustrated editions, reference piece for collectors.
Category

1990s British Modern Books

Materials

Paper

Christies Catalogue South Kesington Oriental Ceramics and Works of Art
Located in Mexico City, MX
Auction catalog with outstanding Oriental Ceramics and Works of Art. Ideal for collectors, galleries and art lovers. Illustrated editions, reference piece for collectors.
Category

1990s British Modern Books

Materials

Paper

Christies Catalogue Paintings from the Aleksander
Located in Mexico City, MX
Auction catalog with outstanding works of Paintings from Aleksander and Lucja Landau Collection. Ideal for collectors, galleries and art lovers. Illustrated editions, reference piece...
Category

1990s Modern Books

Materials

Paper

Christies Catalogue Latin American Art
Located in Mexico City, MX
Auction catalog with outstanding works of Latin American Art. Ideal for collectors, galleries and art lovers. Illustrated editions, reference piece for collectors.
Category

2010s American Modern Books

Materials

Paper

Christies Catalogue Important Latin American Paintings
Located in Mexico City, MX
Auction catalog with outstanding works of Important Latin American Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture (Part I and II). Ideal for collectors, galleries and art lovers. Illustrated edit...
Category

1990s American Modern Books

Materials

Paper

Christies Catalogue Mexican Paintings and Sculpture from te Sociedad
Located in Mexico City, MX
Auction catalog with outstanding works of Mexican Paintings and Sculpture from the Sociedad Internacional de Valores de Arte Mexicano Foundation. Ideal for collectors, galleries and ...
Category

1990s American Modern Books

Materials

Paper

Christies Catalogue Important Latin American Paintings, Drawings, Sculpture
Located in Mexico City, MX
Auction catalog with outstanding works of Important Latin American Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture and Colonial Works of Art. Ideal for collectors, galleries and art lovers. Illust...
Category

1990s American Modern Books

Materials

Paper

Christies Catalogues Fine Continental Furniture, Tapestries and Carpets
Located in Mexico City, MX
Auction catalog with Fine Continental Furniture, Tapestries and Carpets. Ideal for collectors, galleries and art lovers. Illustrated editions, reference piece for collectors.
Category

1990s British Modern Books

Materials

Paper

Christies Catalogue Topographical Pictures
Located in Mexico City, MX
Auction catalog with Topographical Pictures. Ideal for collectors, galleries and art lovers. Illustrated editions, reference piece for collectors.
Category

1990s British Modern Books

Materials

Paper

Christies Catalogue Colonial Paintings and Decorative Arts
Located in Mexico City, MX
Auction catalog with outstanding works of Colonial Paintings and Decorative Arts, Latin American Silver and Pre-Columbian Art. Ideal for collectors, galleries and art lovers. Illust...
Category

1990s American Modern Books

Materials

Paper

Margaret Atwood Autographed The Handmaid s Tale 1986 O.W. Toad Ltd. U.S.A.
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage book was written by the well known Canadian author; Margaret Atwood and entitled "The Handmaid's Tale". This copy was published by O.W. To...
Category

Late 20th Century Canadian 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

Miguel Berrocal Catalog Raisonné by Jean-Louis Ferrier, France, 1989
Located in Barcelona, ES
Miguel Berrocal book by Jean-Louis Ferrier for Editions de la Différence, Paris, France, 1989. Catalog raisonné of the sculpture of Miguel Berrocal. Text in French with descriptions ...
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Books

Materials

Paper

Christies Catalogue America A Mural by Rufino Tamayo
Located in Mexico City, MX
Auction catalog with outstanding works of Latin American Art. Ideal for collectors, galleries and art lovers. Illustrated editions, reference piece for collectors.
Category

1990s American Modern Books

Materials

Paper

Christies Catalogue Fine Chinese Export Porcelain and Works of Art
Located in Mexico City, MX
Auction catalog with outstanding works of Art and Fine Chinese Export Porcelain. Ideal for collectors, galleries and art lovers. Illustrated editions, reference piece for collectors.
Category

1990s British Modern Books

Materials

Paper

Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art
Located in Mexico City, MX
Auction catalog with outstanding works and Ceramics Chinese. Ideal for collectors, galleries and art lovers. Illustrated editions, reference piece for collectors.
Category

1990s American Modern Books

Materials

Paper

Christies Catalogue Important Paintings and Drawings by Claudio Bravo from the F
Located in Mexico City, MX
Important Paintings and Drawings by Claudio Bravo from the Forbes Magazine Collection Auction catalog with outstanding works of Latin American Art. Ideal for collectors, galleries an...
Category

1990s American Modern Books

Materials

Paper

Christies Catalogue Latin American Colonial Paintings, Silver and Decorative Art
Located in Mexico City, MX
Auction catalog with outstanding works of Latin American Art. Ideal for collectors, galleries and art lovers. Illustrated editions, reference piece for collectors.
Category

1990s American Modern Books

Materials

Paper

Visionaire Limited Edition Number 28 “The Bible”
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

20 Years Dolce Gabbana - Sarah Mower - 1st Edition, Milan, 2005
Located in CA, CA
Published by 5 Continents Editions, 1st edition, Milan, 2005. Hardback with English text. Housed in a black cloth-bound slipcase identical with the book cover. This celebratory edi...
Category

Early 2000s Italian 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.