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Design
Here you will find our selection of works on design. Sometimes abstract sometimes architectural, always interesting. Please check back regularly. We often search out rare works on the subject but they tend not to hang around for long. If you have any special requests or questions about the books on design below, please do get in touch.
We deliver to all locations worldwide. and we send to every continent, every week. All our books are packed very carefully.
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1896 Reliques of Old LondonLondon: 1896A fantastic limited edition illustrated work on old London, signed and illustrated with brilliant lithographic plates by Thomas R. Way. -
1951 Royal Festival Hall: The Official RecordLondon: 1951The first edition of this uncommon record of the Royal Festival Hall in London and its design, with vibrant illustrations throughout and in the original dust wrapper. -
1843 The Present State of Ecclesiastical Architecture in EnglandLondon: 1843The first edition of this account of nineteenth century ecclesiastical architecture, written by Augustus Pugin, a prominent architect known for his ecclesiastical designs. -
1855 Brick and Marble in the Middle Ages; Notes of a Tour in the North of ItalyLondon: 1855A superior first edition of British Architect George Edmund Street's travelogue of his trip to Italy, providing insight into Italian architecture and adorned with fantastic plates. -
1973 The Websters of Kendal: 8 September - 14 October 1973 At Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal, Westmorland,Kendal: 1973A scarce copy of this exhibition catalogue on The Websters of Kendal, showcasing 19th-century architect Francis Webster’s work, with photographic plates, bound in smart half calf binding by Ipsley Bindery. -
1951 Thomas Tompion: His Life & WorkLondon: 1951A first edition of this illustrated study of the life and works of English clockmaker Thomas Tompion. -
1972 2 Vols Kutahya Tiles and Pottery from the Armenian Cathedral of St. James, JerusalemOxoford: 1972A very smart two-volume study of the pictorial tiles made in Kütahya by Armenian potters in AD 1718-19, intended for the restoration of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Illustrated with plates, many of which are in colour. -
2006-2008 3vol A Collection of Fergus BookletsGlasgow: 2006-2008Three very fine editions of the Fergus Booklets for the years 2006, 2007, and 2008, with letters from the author. -
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2009 The Annotated Capital on the Thinking Behind the Capital LetterCambridge: 2009A very pleasing first edition of this study of the capital letter form from Dutch designer Lida Lopes Cardozo Kindersley, signed by the author. -
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2000 True to Type: A Typographical AutobiographyNew Castle: 2000A very pleasing first edition of this illustrated typographical autobiography from Ruari McLean, with a handwritten letter from the author. -
1921 Lettering: A Handbook for Artists, Architects, Designers, Signwriters, & CraftsmenLondon: 1921A very scarce first edition of this detailed handbook for letter design, comprising a series of plates with various typefaces. -
1990 Early Lithographed Books: A Study of the Design and Production of Improper BooksLondon: 1990A very pleasing first edition of this study into early lithographed books and the hand press, with the original glassine wrapper. -
1984 Panoply of Paper: on Collecting Decorated PapersGloucestershire: 1984An exceptionally scarce copy of this reprint of Hans Schmoller’s work on collecting decorated papers, their history, craftsmanship, and aesthetics. -
1982 Carter's Caps: An Alphabet of Capital Letters Cut by Will Carter and Printed from the Wood with CommentaryCambridge : 1982A lovely example of this wood-printed alphabet designed, cut and described by Will Carter, the founder of the Rampant Lions Press. -
1987 Twentieth Century Type DesignersLondon: 1987A very pleasing first edition of this illustrated study in type design of the twentieth century, with a handwritten request for review. -
1958-1961 2 Vols Pioneers in Printing; A Handwriting ManualLondon: 1958-1961A smart two-volume set exploring the history of printing and the art of fine handwriting, complete with the original unclipped dust wrappers. -
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2000 Fritz Kredel 1900-1973: A Comprehensive List of Kredel's WorkMichelstadt: 2000A very smart first edition of this study on the works of German-American artist Fritz Kredel, inscribed and signed by one of the authors. -
1990-2004 2vol The Art of the Book & A Century for the CenturyNew York: 1990-2004Two smart volumes on the development of book design from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. -
1765-1771 The Practical Surveyor; A Catalogue of Mathematical, Philosophical, and Optical InstrumentsLondon: 1765-1771Illustrated with folding plates and diagrams, this is the fourth edition of Hammond and Warner's guide to the principles of land surveying, with Heath and Wing's very scarce catalogue of instruments to the rear. -
2002 ArtworkLondon: 2002A smart first edition, first impression of this study of the artwork and designs of English artist David Gentleman. -
1931 Nothing or the BookplateLondon: 1931A scarce copy of Gordon Craig’s study on bookplate art, featuring his commentary, a catalog of his ex-libris designs from the years 1895–1912. -
1841 London Interiors: A Grand National ExhibitionLondon: 1841The first edition of this impressively illustrated study of fashionable London architecture and interiors. Present here is the entirety of volume I, and the first portion of the text of volume II. -
1912 Kate Greenaway PicturesLondon: 1921A bright fist edition of this study of Kate Greenaway's art, adorned with stunning colourful plates. With the original unclipped dust wrapper. -
1841 London Interiors: A Grand National Exhibition of the Religious, Regal and Civic Solemnities, Public Amusements, Scientific Meetings, and Commercial Scenes of the British CapitalLondon: 1841The first edition of this profusely illustrated study of fashionable London architecture and interiors, with two volumes bound in one. -
1927 Decorative Plasterwork in Great BritainLondon: 1927The first edition of this profusely illustrated study of British interiors and decorative plasterwork, written by Laurence Turner. -
1926 Volte E Soffitti ItalianiMilano: 1926A photographic collection by the historic Fratelli Alinari firm, presenting Italian vaults and ceiling designs, compiled and authored by Renaissance scholar Arduino Colasanti -
1914 Randolph Caldecott Illustrated PostcardsLondon: [1914]A collection of Randolph Caldecott's beautifully colour illustrated postcards from the original release. -
1922 Old Clock and Watches and Their Makers; Being a Historical and Descriptive Account of the Different Styles of Clocks and Watches of the Past, In England and Abroad.London: [1922]A descriptive account of clocks and their makers by F. J. Britten, previously owned by Ambrose Heal, the noted Chairman of ‘Heal’s’ furniture company, with a letter addressed to Heal. -
1912 A. Garstin & Co. Wholesale Manufacturers of Bags, Trunks and Leather GoodsLondon: 1912A charming and extremely scarce 1912 catalogue of the leather goods and miscellaneous items sold by manufacturer and wholesaler A. Garstin & Co. -
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1951 One Hundred Years of Architecture 1851-1951London: 1951The first edition of this very scarce work on the history of British architecture, previously owned by Ambrose Heal, the chairman of the 'Heal's' furniture company, with a letter from his son. -
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1960 Dunn's Furniture Store 250th Anniversary AdvertisementNone stated: 1960A very scarce advertisement produced for the 250th anniversary of 'Dunn's' furniture store in Bromley, providing a history of the company, with a signed letter from the Chairman of the company Geoffrey Dunn, and previously owned by Ambrose Heal. -
1921 Bye-Laws, Rules, and Ordinances of the Worshipful Company of IronmongersLondon: 1921The first edition of the vanishingly scarce 1921 edition of the bye-laws, rules, and ordinances he Worshipful Company of Ironmongers. -
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1947 Georgian Furniture: Victoria & Albert MuseumLondon: 1947The first edition of this catalogue of Georgian furniture held at the Victoria and Albert Museum, with a letter from the author to Ambrose Heal, the chairman of the 'Heal's' furniture company. -
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1946 A Short History of St. Mary AbchurchLondon: 1946A signed first edition of this scarce architectural and historical study of St. Mary Abchurch by R. M. LaPorte-Payne. -
1948 Unknown Westminster AbbeyHarmondsworth Middlesex: 1948A smartly bound first edition of Lawrence Tanner's illustrated study of Westminster Abbey, bound in modern crushed half morocco by Syd. A. Howe. -
c1900 Winegartens, Ltd. Catalogue of Cutlery: Spoons and Forks, etc., and CanteensLondon: c1900A vanishingly scarce catalogue of cutlery from Winegartens, watchmakers and manufacturers based in London, with the original supplementary catalogue of canteens.