No comments about Between the Utopias: New Russian Art During and After Perestroika (1985-1993).

1 comments about Postcards From the Nursery: The Illustrators of Children's Books and Postcards (Scrapbook).

1. Many people think that postcards are either views of some hotel or museum reproduction of an old master, or an ad for the local politician or car dealership. As a result, most of them are literally astounded when they see the wealth of photography and art which has adorned the picture postcard since the late 19th century and which is still going strong into the 21st.
   
   There have, in fact, been hundreds of books about postcards, including studies of one artist, studies of one subject such as cats and teddy bears, to name but two, historical events, most notably wars, views of urban or rural areas, and of course books on the art of postcards themselves. Most of these can be purchased from the chain bookstores and from Amazon.com.
   
   However, in my opinion, of all of the available (and no longer available) books, there are only three major works (i.e. a full length 250+ page book) which reflect the full splendor of the postcard and which, if placed on a coffee table or central in-home setting, will continue to delight both occupants and guests. Two of them I have reviewed in their listings on Amazon.com. They are "Art Nouveau Postcards" by Fanelli and Godoli and "Postcards of Nursing: A Worldwide Tribute" by Zwerdling. Both of these books have superb graphics, a surprising range of topic and subject (although if one of them purports to be about nursing, it encompasses much, much more), and the production values are as good as any art book.
   
   The book being reviewed here, "Postcards from the Nursery," is no exception. This book is special. The layout combines the works of the artists with their biographies, and the biographies themselves include photographs which show the artist in his or her heyday as well as later pictures.
   
   The book is more than a book of illustrated fairy tales. It is a book of wonder. Children, will, of course, be delighted in it. Adults will be transported into realms of their own childhood or perhaps an ideal childhood. What may be surprising is that the artists themselves ranged in their own childhoods from privileged happy ones to sad, almost tragic ones....but they all transcended their personal experiences to create images which are universally appealing.
   
   Do yourself, your family and friends a favor. Buy this book and put it in a place where it can be seen.

No comments about American Art Auction Catalogues, 1785-1942: A Union List.

No comments about Smoker's Art.

2 comments about Animation Art: The Early Years 1911-1953 (Schiffer Book of Collectors).

1. I collect and sell vintage Disney animation art, and this book is a great resource for seeing what pieces have sold for what, and for helping to determine what pieces have been available.



2. Mr. Lotmans book is an essential for anyone thinking of buying vintage animation art. Clearly this is one tool that you should have at your side when purchasing at auction or doing provenance work of any kind. Very informative with tonnes of great photographs, this book chronicles auction results from all the major houses over the last decade. Do not get caught without one!!!! P.S. Watch for the next ecition in the series to be published soon. Good Collecting

No comments about Into The Antiquities Trade.

No comments about Contemporary Australian Collage and Its Origins.

No comments about Ducks: Art, Legend, History (The Bulfinch Library of Collectibles).

1 comments about Portrait of a Lady: Sargent and Lady Agnew.

1. Lady Agnew was a very attractive woman and Sargent's portrait of her got very high praise from his contemporary art critics. Because of the portrait she became a society "beauty" and Sargent, who hadn't made much of an impression in the art market in England overnight found himself inundated by commissions from the English aristocracy. She married a man quite a bit older than she was and who had to attend to his obligations in Scotland as a wealth landowner, leaving her alone a great part of the time at their London residence. She became a society hostess whose invitations were much sought after. Sargent was, of course, a guest as were some other artists of that time; and she was also a guest of Sargent's. He was well liked by people who met him as he was also a talented pianist who would entertain his guests and his sitters by playing music for them when he wanted to take a break from his painting. I ran across his portrait of Lady Agnew in a catalog raisonné and I became so fascinated by their story that I purchased this book in order to find out more about their relationship. Besides a number of images of Lady Agnew, there is a good sampling of Sargents society portraits in color and in black and white. It also has a goodly amount of text to help fill in the gaps lacking in other sources. This book was issued by the National Gallery of Scotland for a special exhibition featuring the lady and the artist. The National Gallery of Scotland is the proud owner of the painting. I love this book and am not ready to put it on Amazon; it's a "keeper".

No comments about Who's Who in Art.