Rare 1930's Historical Color Guide Book By Elizabeth Burris-Meyer
$425.00
Absolutely Incredible and rare Historical Color Guide: Primitive to Modern Times with Thirty Plates in Color, by Elizabeth Burris-Meyer, dean of The School For Fashion Careers. Published in 1938, it is in overall beautiful vintage condition showing light wear and patina throughout. The Smithsonian website description says - "There is little to be found about Elizabeth Burris-Meyer’s life, but it is safe to assume that she was a proud aesthete. As the “Dean of the School for Fashion Careers,” Burris-Meyer published two books on color. Her Historical Color Guide draws inspiration from various historical works of art, creating color palettes for both artistic and business use. Utilizing a keen understanding of art history, she sought to evoke not just the aesthetics, but the culture of a time period. Paint swatches, hand glued into the book, are given delightfully descriptive names: “mummy” is an Egyptian-inspired olive green, “pouf du vent” is a pale lavender inspired by Madame de Pompadour. Equally charming is Burris-Meyer’s commentary on each of her carefully curated palettes. She provides historical context (Egyptian colors were mineral-based, e.g. blue from cobalt), in addition to her own opinions on each time period (she dismisses the “swooning bombast and homely clutter” of Victorian England)."
Measures approx 7" x 9 1/4" 30 numbered pages plus introduction, contents and notes pages
Follow along on instagram @farewelltrading to keep up with my latest travel, finds, and first looks at new inventory. Each order is carefully packaged and includes a complimentary Fare Well Trading promotional item (while supplies last). Feel free to message me with any questions. Thanks for looking!
Absolutely Incredible and rare Historical Color Guide: Primitive to Modern Times with Thirty Plates in Color, by Elizabeth Burris-Meyer, dean of The School For Fashion Careers. Published in 1938, it is in overall beautiful vintage condition showing light wear and patina throughout. The Smithsonian website description says - "There is little to be found about Elizabeth Burris-Meyer’s life, but it is safe to assume that she was a proud aesthete. As the “Dean of the School for Fashion Careers,” Burris-Meyer published two books on color. Her Historical Color Guide draws inspiration from various historical works of art, creating color palettes for both artistic and business use. Utilizing a keen understanding of art history, she sought to evoke not just the aesthetics, but the culture of a time period. Paint swatches, hand glued into the book, are given delightfully descriptive names: “mummy” is an Egyptian-inspired olive green, “pouf du vent” is a pale lavender inspired by Madame de Pompadour. Equally charming is Burris-Meyer’s commentary on each of her carefully curated palettes. She provides historical context (Egyptian colors were mineral-based, e.g. blue from cobalt), in addition to her own opinions on each time period (she dismisses the “swooning bombast and homely clutter” of Victorian England)."
Measures approx 7" x 9 1/4" 30 numbered pages plus introduction, contents and notes pages
Follow along on instagram @farewelltrading to keep up with my latest travel, finds, and first looks at new inventory. Each order is carefully packaged and includes a complimentary Fare Well Trading promotional item (while supplies last). Feel free to message me with any questions. Thanks for looking!
