Henry N. Abrams, 2000. Hardcover. New hardcover in new dust jacket. Text is clean and free of marks or underlining. 4to. (9.5 x 1.5 x 12.38 inches) Includes photos, art prints, illustrations, bibliography, and an index. 500 pp.

Fast shipping in a secure book box mailer with tracking. New / New. Item #202001
ISBN: 9780810966925

The rich colors of Frederick Rhead's Fiesta or the translucent beauty of Waterford crystal, Russel Wright's American Modern or Haviland's White House service of 1879-the right tableware adds personality to a celebration. But beyond their appeal to all who want to entertain in style, and their value as collectibles, china and glass wares mirror the profound cultural and economic shifts in twentieth-century America and provide a unique vantage point from which to view our society.

By 1880, American manufacturers were competing successfully with their European counterparts, and in the ensuing decades surpassed them in some ways. At midcentury, the battle for the American market became so fierce that European and Japanese manufacturers established marketing offices and showrooms in the United States and hired American designers to create objects specifically to appeal to the American consumer. By the 1970s, foreign competition and the impact of new materials like plastics and aluminum had driven numerous producers out of business. American firms began to employ sophisticated research methods and consumer analysis to secure sales in a fiercely competitive world market, where Asian and European firms provide the keenest competition.

In following the story of ceramics and glass, the reader will see the rapid industrialization that followed the Civil War; how these industries were reorganized in response to efficiency drives during both world wars; how the advent of advertising came to manipulate consumer behavior; and how these major behavioral shifts have revolutionized American life.

Illustrated with more than 200 photographs of enticing glass and ceramic objects, this luxurious volume is the first to take a comprehensive look at the modern tableware used in American homes, examining its cultural and business history as well as its design. From table settings for "dainty" ladies' luncheons early in the century, to trendy accessories for suburban barbecues in the post-World War I years, to the tinfoil trays invented for TV dinners, this book celebrates the complete history of dining ware. Fully indexed with an extensive bibliography, this is an essential volume for readers interested in American cultural and business history, collectors, and admirers alike.

Price: $42.95