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192559293Reading PA: Metropolitan Edison Co. 1925. Oblong 4to. 11.5 x 8.25 in. 57 linen-backed silver gelatin photographs nearly all w/ typed captions on versos linen hinges & stubs at gutter margin bound w/ two brass screw-posts at gutter margin recent flexible mylar cover as protection secured w/ screw-posts slight curling at fore-edges still all photos w/ bright strong contrast. This remarkable series of undocumented photographs visually produces the efforts of Metropolitan Edison to further expand their footprint in the Pennsylvania market after electrifying over 35000 customers by 1925. As they accelerated their push to introduce additional electrical appliances following World War I they sponsored trade shows and expositions to advertise the latest available products and even commissioned their employees to regularly make house calls after hours with electrical toasters and lamps with prizes awarded for the most sales. Met-Ed customers could pay for the latest appliances with installments on their monthly electric bills. These images reveal the nighttime lighting illuminating the Electrical Exposition Auditorium on South Fifth in Reading featuring over 30 display booths of local suppliers and contractors wired-in music as well as demonstrators of all the different gadgets showing off their features and uses. “Kill O’Watt†figures as symbols of electrical service were installed at the doorways and with all the different booths and the exhibition space featured a “Court of Illumination†dominated by a life-size nude of the Egyptian Goddess of Light surrounded by 12-foot columns and golden incense burners. Every night and afternoon electric waffle irons and coffee percolators were raffled off and one lucky visitor won the grand prize of a brand-new Frigidaire refrigerator when the Exposition ended. As shown by the photographs visitors to the Electrical Exposition could view huge lighted display maps for the Pennsylvania-New Jersey Super Power System; Frigidaire Refrigerators; miniature home architectural models with cutaways showing the electrification of homes; lighted advertising signs and generators for Exide batteries 1920’s Art Deco Lamps electric train sets and even the most “beautiful booth†from the Philadelphia Electric Co. Supply Dept. with a lavish display of electric vacuums lights lamps toasters percolators fans irons and sound equipment. The Met-Ed Co. filled the entire balcony with the latest insulators meters control devices power transformers and equipment for their system and also featured are salesman sample photo albums displays electric ranges washing machines and more. Of special interest is the photo from Pennsylvania Edison Co. showing “The Story Behind Your Lighting Switch†a motorized mechanical book featuring articulated brass arms turning pages as they slid along the leaves and powered by a small motor. These were produced by the Metropolitan Mechanical Display Co. of New York who were one of the earliest and most successful firms for animatronic and popular powered displays. Metropolitan Edison was originally formed in 1917 after merging Met-Ed with Edison Electric Illuminating Lebanon Valley Electric Light Co. with subsidiaries of Reading Electric Light & Power Neversink and Penn-Ed under W.S. Barstow & E.L. West. We could find no other contemporary surviving visual records of the Electrical Exposition trade literature programs or catalogues in institutional holdings or sales records. See: A History of Met-Ed’s Western Division Met-Ed Centennial 1983; Moody’s Manual of Investments: American and Foreign 1922 pp. 414-418; Reading Times Nov. 7-21 1925 multiple entries & advertisements -- no images. Metropolitan Edison Co., unknown
19292091202133201489Otsuka Kogeisha 1929. Soft Cover. Fine. Number of books: 2 books in total Otsuka Kogeisha paperback
179843772Paris: Imprimerie de la Republique 1798. <p>Exposition publique des produits de l'industrie française. Catalogue des produits industriels qui ont été exposés au Champ-de-Mars pendant les trois derniers jours complémentaires de l'an VI . . . 25pp. Paris: Imprimerie de la République Vendémiaire an VII 1798. 199 x 129 mm. Original plain blue-gray wrappers lower corner of front wrapper lightly creased; boxed. Minor foxing but fine otherwise.</p> <p> First Edition of the catalogue of the First Official Public National Industrial Exposition the forerunner of all subsequent "World's Fairs" and international expositions. In 1797 the Marquis d'Avèze an official of the French Republican government visited the factories of Sèvres china Gobelins tapestries and Savonnerie carpets and was appalled to find the factory workshops deserted their artisans starving and their warehouses filled with luxury goods that had no commercial outlet. "It then occurred to the marquis that if these and other objects of industry of the national manufactures could be collected together in one large exhibition a stimulus might be given to the native industry and thus relief be afforded to the suffering workmen. The plan was approved by M. François de Neufchâteau the Minister of the Interior" Tomlinson p. ii. Due to political difficulties the exhibition was not held until the following year. After a highly successful preliminary showing at the Maison d'Orsay the French government built a "Temple of Industry" on the Champ de Mars surrounded by 60 arcades filled with useful and decorative objects by French manufacturers. "The Exhibition remained open only during the last three complimentary days of the year VI of the Republic; but it excited the greatest enthusiasm throughout the country. The merits of the several exhibitors were entrusted to the decision of a jury composed of nine men distinguished in science and in art; and this plan was found to work so well that it was continued in subsequent Expositions" Tomlinson p. iii. Rare-OCLC cites only three copies all in French libraries. A second issue of the catalogue expanded to 30 pages was issued at Grenoble in the same year. Tomlinson Cyclopaedia of Useful Arts 1852 I pp. ii-iii.</p> . Imprimerie de la Republique unknown
179843772Paris: Imprimerie de la Republique 1798. <p>Exposition publique des produits de l'industrie française. Catalogue des produits industriels qui ont été exposés au Champ-de-Mars pendant les trois derniers jours complémentaires de l'an VI . . . 25pp. Paris: Imprimerie de la République Vendémiaire an VII 1798. 199 x 129 mm. Original plain blue-gray wrappers lower corner of front wrapper lightly creased; boxed. Minor foxing but fine otherwise.</p> <p> First Edition of the catalogue of the First Official Public National Industrial Exposition the forerunner of all subsequent "World's Fairs" and international expositions. In 1797 the Marquis d'Avèze an official of the French Republican government visited the factories of Sèvres china Gobelins tapestries and Savonnerie carpets and was appalled to find the factory workshops deserted their artisans starving and their warehouses filled with luxury goods that had no commercial outlet. "It then occurred to the marquis that if these and other objects of industry of the national manufactures could be collected together in one large exhibition a stimulus might be given to the native industry and thus relief be afforded to the suffering workmen. The plan was approved by M. François de Neufchâteau the Minister of the Interior" Tomlinson p. ii. Due to political difficulties the exhibition was not held until the following year. After a highly successful preliminary showing at the Maison d'Orsay the French government built a "Temple of Industry" on the Champ de Mars surrounded by 60 arcades filled with useful and decorative objects by French manufacturers. "The Exhibition remained open only during the last three complimentary days of the year VI of the Republic; but it excited the greatest enthusiasm throughout the country. The merits of the several exhibitors were entrusted to the decision of a jury composed of nine men distinguished in science and in art; and this plan was found to work so well that it was continued in subsequent Expositions" Tomlinson p. iii. Rare—OCLC cites only three copies all in French libraries. A second issue of the catalogue expanded to 30 pages was issued at Grenoble in the same year. Tomlinson Cyclopaedia of Useful Arts 1852 I pp. ii-iii.</p> . Imprimerie de la Republique unknown books
1961720-AAlberto GIACOMETTI DERRIERE LE MIROIR N° 127 (tirage de luxe signé). Paris, maeght Editeur, 1961. In-4° (385 x 288), en feuilles, sous couverture imprimée en lithographie sur les 2 plats, chemise cartonnée recouverte de vergé gris, étui de même nature, étiquette de titre collée sur le front. - 14 LITHOGRAPHIES ORIGINALES EN NOIR dont 3 en double page. - Textes de Olivier Larronde, Léna Leclercq et Isaku Yanaihara. Édition originale. Édition de tête limitée à 150, celui-ci n°116, signé au crayon par l'artiste sur l'achevé d'imprimer. L' ouvrage en parfait état, insolation d'usage à l'étui. Très rare. (Lust 148 à 161). -- ENGLISH DESCRIPTION: Alberto GIACOMETTI. Derriere le Miroir n° 127 (signed deluxe edition). Paris, maeght Publisher, 1961. In-4° (385 x 288), in sheets, under cover printed in lithography on both covers, cardboard folder covered with gray laid paper, slipcase of the same type, title label stuck on the front. - 14 ORIGINAL LITHOGRAPHS IN BLACK including 3 in double page. - Texts by Olivier Larronde, Léna Leclercq and Isaku Yanaihara. Original edition. Deluxe edition limited to 150, this one n°116, signed in pencil by the artist on the justification page. The book in perfect condition, the case is insolated. Very rare. (Lust 148 to 161).
1944013801Paris (Seghers), Editions Poésie 44 1944 In-4 Reliure Dédicacé par l'auteur
1994014432Paris Seuil 1994 In-4 Cartonnage toilé et jaquette éditeur Dédicacé par l'auteur
1851151696London: Spicer Brothers 1851. With a floor plan of the Great Exhibition First edition of this guide to the Great Exhibition of 1851. This work includes a list of some of the displayed objects and a floor plan of the 100000 exhibits. The exhibition was visited by Charles Darwin Charles Dickens and Karl Marx. Hunt's handbook offered the attendants information on the 8 miles of exhibits from over 25 countries. His work intended to teach the reader about the Victorian material science chemistry engineering and design featured in the exhibition. Hunt enlisted the help of several professionals such as William Brough who wrote about the printing presses and Professor Edward Forbes who wrote on the uses of flax and display of wines and spices on show. "From folding pianos and controversial semi-nude Greek statues to the largest diamond in the world The Great Exhibition of 1851 was unlike anything that had been seen before. It was a triumphant celebration of the most extraordinary achievements of the Victorian age from industry culture and engineering - gathered from all four corners of the world. 'Every conceivable invention!' as Queen Victoria wrote in her private diary"Royal Parks. Robert Hunt 1807-1887 was a chemist and photographer. He worked as a professor of mechanical science for the Royal School of Mines. In 1858 Hunt and the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society founded the Miners Association. 2 vols octavo. Folding frontispiece floorplan in Vol I. advertisement leaf bound before frontispiece in Vol. I. Original blue cloth spines lettered in gilt and ruled in blind covers decoratively panelled in blind front covers with vignette of Crystal Palace in gilt pale yellow coated endpapers edges speckled brown binder's ticket of Westleys & Co. on rear pastedown. Soiling and abrasions to cloth spine ends and tips bumped a couple of gatherings proud gutter starting in several places in Vol I. A good copy. "The Great Exhibition of 1851 in Hyde Park" Royal Parks. hardcover
193653024London: New Burlington Galleries / Women's Printing Society Ltd 1936. First Edition. Slim octavo 24cm; pictorial wrappers saddle-stitched; 311pp. French gallerist and art dealer Pierre Loeb's copy with "Exemplaire de Pierre Loeb" in red ink on title page by E.L.T. Mesens along with his signature and those of the following individuals associated with the exhibition directly beneath: Shiela Legge André Breton Jacqueline B. Jacqueline Lamba Breton's wife Roland Penrose David Gascoyne Humphrey Jennings Hans Arp and George Reavey. Light external wear and dust-soil wrappers starting to pull away from staples with some scattered discoloration to rear wrapper; a few very light pencil marks in-text else contents quite fresh; Very Good. Housed in a custom clamshell case. Well-preserved catalog of the first Surrealist art exhibition in England organized by artist Roland Penrose and poet David Gascoyne and held at the New Burlington Galleries from June 11th - July 4th 1936. A ground-breaking event described alternately as chaotic indecent and inspiring the organizers assembled nearly 400 paintings and sculptures by 71 Surrealist artists including Hans Arp Jacqueline B. Hans Bellmer Constantin Brancusi Alexander Calder Salvador Dali Marcel Duchamp Alberto Giacometti René Magritte Joan Miró Paul Nash Pablo Picasso Man Ray Yves Tanguy and others. The three-week event was a true spectacle involving Dalí delivering a lecture and nearly passing out while wearing a full deep-sea diving suit Sheila Legge's performance as "The Phantom of Sex Appeal" in Trafalgar Square and poet Dylan Thomas circulating among the guests at the opening offering them cups of boiled string. In addition to listing all 392 works in the exhibit the catalog features a cover illustration by Max Ernst an English-language preface by André Breton translated by Gascoyne and an introduction by Herbert Read. A significant copy signed by several artists and presented to French gallerist Pierre Loeb one of the great champions of Surrealism. On its own a somewhat elusive catalog rarely seen with such a collection of signatures the auction record showing the last such copies for sale in 1976 George Hugnet's copy signed by nine and 1973 Suzanne Malherbe and Claude Cahun's copy signed by 11. 53024. New Burlington Galleries / Women's Printing Society, Ltd unknown
88343Chicago: 1934. Folio ca. 35 x 29.5 cm. Album in full morocco with gilt titles and rules binding signed "Arthur Hertzberg & Craftsmen"; silk moiré endpapers; calligraphic presentation leaf and 51 hinged leaves of large-format pencil-captioned silver-gelatin prints each ca. 28cm x 20 cm 11" x 8" or the reverse. This copy presented to Harold A. Howard 1868-1936 prominent Chicago real-estate tycoon and society figure. Photographer identified at base of spine. Slight wear including a ca. 3" separation at front joint near crown; a few leaves with faint marginal soil or foxing away from printed area; complete and Very Good.<br /> <br /> One of presumably very few presentation albums presented by the Century of Progress Exposition to prominent backers and members of Chicago's elite. The photographs all produced by the Exposition's official photographer the Kaufman & Fabry Company are of the highest quality exceptional for capturing the high modernism of the period and indeed of the event itself which is still considered a pivotal moment in the popularization of the modernist aesthetic in the United States as well as the introduction of the "Art Deco" style. Significantly the plan and most of the Exposition's infrastructure were designed by the young architects Louis Skidmore and Nathaniel Owings who a few years later would go on to found the epoch-defining firm Skidmore Owings & Merrill whose high-rise office towers came to personify the skylines of many of America's major cities Chicago's in particular. Though no limitation is stated for this album given the expense of production we would surmise that no more than a few dozen would have been produced. OCLC notes ten copies in American institutions each with presentations to a different recipient; a few others traced at auction and in commerce. unknown
1937103525S.n.l. 1937 In-folio à l’italienne 26 x 34 cm. Album reliure demi-chagrin brun, dos à nerfs muet, report du titre doré sur le premier plat, non paginé [65] pp., 304 photographies 7 x 11,5 cm non légendées en noir & blanc, tirées sur papier argentique brillant, montées sur coins, non légendées. Reliure légèrement frottée, intérieur d’une grande fraîcheur.
1894008457San Francisco: H. S. Crocker 1894 Book. Fine. Hardcover. MIDWINTER FAIR. Oblong quarto. 10x13 inches. Three parts bound together. Illustrated with 8 full-page lithographed color plates by Dickman-Jones Co. of San Francisco plus the full set of 24 full-page lithographed color plates by H. S. Crocker Co. plus over 213 full-page black & white photographs with extensive descriptive text including 13 of 14 double-page panoramas. Publisher's binding of three-quarter brown morocco darker cloth sides gilt lettering and pictorial element on cloth cover gilt-lettered spine. Outer hinges and spine ends rubbed 3 corners show light wear. A fine clean copy. First edition. With the bookplate of Thomas Wayne Norris and included in the famous Norris Catalogue. An incredibly scarce tile with the full complement of 24 full-page color lithographs Series I & II of scenes and buildings at the Midwinter Fair also issued by H. S. Crocker Co. and the addition of the souvenir grouping Glimpses of the Midwinter Fair issued by Dickman-Jones Co. to their customers with 8 full-page color lithographs of the Fair bound in with its original wrappers. Sunset City and Sunset Scenes is usually found only with the Taber black & white reproductions. We have never had a copy bound with the full series of color lithographs although over the years we've seen a few odd plates. The large number of black and white photographic reproductions include a number of views of the buildings and grounds of the Midwinter Fair held in Golden Gate Park; they are interspersed with select views of the natural wonders of the State. Nearly all the photographs are by Isaiah W. Taber official photographer of the Fair. The text for the non-Fair images was written by J. M. Hutchings; the twenty-four lithographs issued by Crocker were drawn by the famous western artist H. W. Hansen. Norris Norris Catalogue this copy: 3493; Rocq Glimpses of the Midwinter Fair: 11355; Rocq Sunset City: 11359; no Auction Records that include the color plates. . H. S. Crocker hardcover
183189CDS100LSGIAmsterdam 1831. 8vo. Christiaan Andersen Spin Slightly later neoclassical gold- and richly blind-tooled long-grained red morocco gilt edges. With a lithographed frontispiece. 2 76 8 pp. Very rare and remarkable catalogue of artworks exhibited in Amsterdam to raise funds for the Dutch army. It lists 1985 artworks not only paintings but all kinds of crafts: miniatures drawings engravings lithographs glass painting etc. All works were to be sold in a lottery to raise funds for the 10-day Campaign Tiendaagse veldtocht on 2-12 August 1831 by King Willem I in order to suppress the Belgian uprising. The catalogue includes a lithographed allegorical frontispiece depicting the nation in the form of a bust of King Willem I supported by art. This was designed by court artist Nicolaas Pieneman 1809-1860 and is accompanied by a poem by Jan de Breet. The present copy is the second expanded and final edition published shortly after the first. It lists all the artworks including the later additions. The first edition lists only 1706 items while the present second edition lists 1985. The frontispiece was slightly revised for the 2nd edition. The catalogue is very rare the Dutch union catalogue NCC lists only 1 copy Rijksmuseum 2nd ed. WorldCat also records a copy in the Frick collection. The RKD has a copy of each edition.Minor rubbing on the extremities otherwise in very good condition.l NCC 1 copy; RKD 283621; WorldCat 2 copies. ABE CAT Art History unknown
51063Roma (Rome) '' L'Esperienza Moderna '' 1958 in 4 carré (23x24 1 volume broché, couverture illustrée lithographiée, non paginé, avec 33 lithographies originales de Achille Perilli. Texte en langue italienne. Achille Perilli, né à Rome en 1927, artiste peintre italien. Edition originale. Tirage limité à 200 exemplaires, celui-ci un des 180 exemplaires numérotés de 21 à 200, signé par l'artiste (edizione originale di 200 esemplares, numerati e firmati dall'artista / First edition of 200 numbered copies, signed by the Artist). Bel exemplaire
1852166563London: Printed for the Royal Commission William Clowes & Sons 1852. An exhibitor's copy Presentation edition with a copy presented to every exhibitor at the Great Exhibition of 1851; trade editions were also produced. The book is a key contemporary document for the Exhibition giving the jury awards and details of the 30 categories of exhibit and was selected in Printing and the Mind of Man as the representative book for the Exhibition. Quarto. With 3 chromolithograph plates. Original red cloth spine and front cover lettered in gilt spine and covers decorated with a wreath design in gilt and blind yellow endpapers gilt edges. Preserved in a custom slipcase. Bookplate to front pastedown. Expertly recased spine ends and corners a little rubbed; a very good copy. Printing and the Mind of Man 331. hardcover
199032366Osaka Japan: International Garden & Greenery Exposition. New. 1990. Paperback. FREE UPGRADE to Courier/Priority Shipping Upon Request - IN STOCK AND IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE FOR SHIPMENT - FLAWLESS COPY BRAND NEW PRISTINE NEVER OPENED - 188 pages; text in Japanese with some English translations. 189 works catalogued and pictured. Among the painters represented: Richet Pelouse Damoye Coignet and many others. Several of the photographers whose works are included are: Kunie Sugiura Adolphe Braun Oliver Wasow & others. -- with a bonus offer-- . International Garden & Greenery Exposition paperback
2013108470Hazan. New. 2013. Paperback. 2754106944 . FREE UPGRADE to Courier/Priority Shipping Upon Request - IN STOCK AND IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE FOR SHIPMENT - Flawless copy brand new pristine never opened - Text in French. -- with a bonus offer-- . Hazan paperback
190038679Paris France: Imprimeries Lemercier Et Cie. / Ludovic Baschet Editeur. As New. 1900. Hardcover. FREE UPGRADE to Courier/Priority Shipping Upon Request IN STOCK AND IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE FOR SHIPMENT - TEXT PRISTINE - Lists the 672 paintings and 420 sculptures included in the exposition. 193 black and white plates. Among the artists represented in the exposition: T. A. Ribot Gericault Lhermitte Millet Bonvin Courbet Corot and Bastien-Lepage. Rare. -- with a bonus offer-- . Imprimeries Lemercier Et Cie. / Ludovic Baschet, Editeur hardcover
196158500Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. As New. 1961. Paperback. FREE UPGRADE to Courier/Priority Shipping Upon Request IN STOCK AND IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE FOR SHIPMENT - AS NEW THE TEXT BLOCK IS PRISTINE CLEAN UNMARKED AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION - - 28 pp. With 20 ills. 26 x 18 cm. -- with a bonus offer-- . Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service paperback
199228378New York New York U.S.A.: Universe Pub. New. 1992. Paperback. 0876636237 . FREE UPGRADE to Courier/Priority Shipping Upon Request - IN STOCK AND IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE FOR SHIPMENT - Fine -- with a bonus offer-- . Universe Pub paperback
198460569Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. As New. 1984. Paperback. FREE UPGRADE to Courier/Priority Shipping Upon Request IN STOCK AND IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE FOR SHIPMENT - AS NEW THE TEXT BLOCK IS PRISTINE CLEAN UNMARKED AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION - - Text in English. 44 pp. With 42 ills. 22 x 25 cm. -- with a bonus offer-- . Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service paperback
198260353Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Service. As New. 1982. Paperback. FREE UPGRADE to Courier/Priority Shipping Upon Request IN STOCK AND IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE FOR SHIPMENT - AS NEW THE TEXT BLOCK IS PRISTINE CLEAN UNMARKED AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION - - Text in German. 158 pp. With 125 ills. 32 col. . 28 x 21 cm. -- with a bonus offer-- . Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Service paperback
196658960Washington DC: Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. As New. 1966. Paperback. FREE UPGRADE to Courier/Priority Shipping Upon Request IN STOCK AND IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE FOR SHIPMENT - AS NEW THE TEXT BLOCK IS PRISTINE CLEAN UNMARKED AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION - - 106 pp. With 75 ills. 5 col. . 23 x 22 cm. In English. -- with a bonus offer-- . Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service paperback
196111794Poughkeepsie NY: Vassar College. As New. 1961. Paperback. FREE UPGRADE to Courier/Priority Shipping Upon Request - IN STOCK AND IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE FOR SHIPMENT - AS NEW THE TEXT BLOCK IS PRISTINE CLEAN UNMARKED AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION - - -- 151 pages; clean and crisp tight pages with no writing or markings to the text. Includes many lovely images of works by among others Fra Bartolommeo de Vos Rembrandt Tiepolo Rembrandt & Lely. Also includes an essay entitled "The Flexibility of Drawing" by A. Hyatt Mayor. -- with a bonus offer--; 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall . Vassar College paperback
1914COL25-09<p><strong><em>Silver prints 7 and glass negatives 10</em></strong> <strong><em>Each about 6 x 8 inches</em></strong><br /><strong><em>Photos with Brown Brothers credit stamp verso</em></strong>. A rare and surreal suite of photographs and glass negatives documenting the objects shown at the "Exposition of Bad Taste" a 1914 satirical display of by-gone decorative sensibilities. It was given the humorous subtitle the "Casket of Domestic Fine Arts Comprising Articles of Home Adornment Chosen for Their Elegant and Genteel Quality" and it was held at Ruby Ross Wood's short-lived Modernist Gallery in New York City.<br /><br />From the objects on display to the sentiment behind it the exhibition was replete with a Duchampian impishness. According to a lengthy New York Times review it offered viewers a chance to behold and ridicule "marble-topped furniture seaweed wax flowers and other treasures under glass; samplers homemade paintings ornate chinaware of every description and countless articles such as were considered extremely genteel in the old days." Also on display was a set of coffee cups for the whole family labeled in gilt letters "Grandpa" "Father" Wife" and" Uncle."" Everywhere hung carefully worked mottos of the type of 'God Bless Our Home' 'No Cross No Crown' etc."<br /><br />Most of the visitors were of the opinion that the exhibits were "screamingly funny" but other older patrons were apoplectic that such cherished objects of the home were the subject of abject skewering. The Exposition of Bad Taste culminated with prizes awarded to the show's "worst horrors." One of top contenders was a daguerreotype from Brooklyn but it was taken out of the competition on account of the profound family associations connected with it.<br /><br />The Times review concludes by writing that those aged-attendees "who were shocked by this mockery of the sampler that sister Letitia worked with her own hands or the horsehair sofa on which Uncle Hiram breathed his last" vented their spleen on the perpetrators of the exhibition. And like an old soothsayer in a Greek tragedy they warned the smirking youngsters that "in the days that were to come the work of the Modernists would itself be made the subject of a similar 'Casket of the Domestic Arts.''<br /><br />The Exhibition of Bad Taste was organized by Ruby Ross Wood one of the 20th-century's eminent arbiters of the opposite. Wood a New York City interior designer and journalist was once dubbed by her protege Billy Badwin as "Quite simply the finest decorator who ever lived." Under the name Ruby Ross Goodnow she wrote fiction poetry and articles about interior design for "The Delineator" a popular women's magazine. She was also the ghostwriter for Elsie de Wolfe's decorating manual "The House in Good Taste" and other publications. After a stint at Wanamakers she opened her own design firm in the 1920s and found long-term success.<br /><br />The Modernist Gallery however did not share the same fate. Its offerings of Weiner Wertkstätte and the like were simply too cutting edge for "Grandpa" or "Wife" and Wood closed its doors later that year.</p>
