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Author	Topic: Worldly Goods
swarter Moderator Posts: 2920 Registered: May 2003	posted 08-12-2006 02:09 PM I have been contemplating for some time writing a review of Worldly Goods: The Arts of Early Pennsylvania, 1680-1758, written to accompany the exhibit of the same name at the Phladelphis Museum of Art from October 10, 1999 to January 2, 2000. This is a large book, 9 1/2" X 12", 264 pp. There are 506 photographic figures, most of which, while good, unfortunately are are only 2 - 3" thumbnails. There are a number of chapters on a variety of topics, from painting to politics, including a historically valuable 18 page discourse on the development of the scientific community in Philadelphia. The meat of the book is contained in a 60 page treatment of the decorative arts in the Delaware Valley, an area that has not been as thoroughly treated as the colonies further to the North. There is a 107 page catalog of the exhibit, 106 pages of which are devoted to the more than 100 silver objects exhibited; each entry is either accompanied by a thumbnail illustration, or a reference to a figure elsewhere in the book. Prominent among these are objects by Philadelphia's earliest silversmiths, the Huguenots Cesar Ghislin and Johannis Nys, as well as Joseph Richardson, Philip Syng, Peter David, William Vilant, and others. In addition to the expected hollowware items, there are also such early and rarely illustrated documented American examples of sucket forks, a folding pocket spoon, trencher salts, a marrow spoon, mote spoons, and early three-pronged fork and pistol grip knife. There also is an appendix with a list of craftsmen known to have been active in the Delaware Valley during this period. Originally published at $35 (paper) and $65 (hardback), it is now on sale from the Philadelphia Museum of Arts Online Museum Store clearance priced at $2.95 (paper) and $4.95 (hard cover)! Incredible value! While we do not ordinarily list items for sale outside of the For Sale forum, there is no harm in calling attention to this closeout sale here, as there is no profit at these give-away prices! I urge our members to take advantage of this opportunity to obtain this valuable work for practically nothing! I paid full price a year or two ago, and have not regretted it. IP: Logged
FredZ Posts: 1070 Registered: Jun 99	posted 08-12-2006 04:24 PM Thanks for the notice. I immediately placed my order for the book. Shipping was $6. Fred IP: Logged
jersey Posts: 1203 Registered: Feb 2005	posted 08-12-2006 11:12 PM Swarter! Fantastic! Thank you soooooo much! I got it too, for myself and a friend. I'm sure you will keep us posted on any more great deals like this! Thanks again! Have a great day! Jersey IP: Logged
swarter Moderator Posts: 2920 Registered: May 2003	posted 08-13-2006 02:20 PM quote: I'm sure you will keep us posted on any more great deals like this! I don't ordinarily patrol the internet in search of bargains. When I was preparing to write the review I went to the Museum website to see if it was still in print, and stumbled upon the sale. That wasn't the motivation for posting the review - just a fortuitous coincidence. I am glad to hear that you and Fredz took advantage of it. I am sure others did (or will) too. IP: Logged
FWG Posts: 845 Registered: Aug 2005	posted 08-14-2006 09:53 AM Note that they also have on sale, for the same prices, Crafting a legacy: Contemporary American crafts in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which has at least some coverage of metalwork (and an impressive piece of silverwork on its cover). I'm looking forward to both -- neither of which I knew about before. Thanks, swarter! IP: Logged
wev Moderator Posts: 4121 Registered: Apr 99	posted 08-14-2006 10:16 AM I am informed that the book is currently out of stock, but they will be receiving a new shipment on the 14th. IP: Logged
ahwt Posts: 2334 Registered: Mar 2003	posted 08-18-2006 05:30 PM Thanks Swarter for the information. The Philadelphia Museum of Art e-mailed me today and said they are shipping again. There must have been quite a few recent orders. I also received the Clark Art Institute book on English, Irish and Scottish silver. This is a very ambitious book and promises to be well worth reading. Thanks again. IP: Logged
FWG Posts: 845 Registered: Aug 2005	posted 08-23-2006 03:02 PM Received my shipment today. The Crafting a Legacy volume cover is actually a porcelain piece -- just lit so it looks like silver! -- and there is relatively little metal work, but for the price who can complain? And the Worldly Goods volume is quite nice, although many of the illustrations are rather on the small side. IP: Logged
swarter Moderator Posts: 2920 Registered: May 2003	posted 09-06-2006 06:49 PM quote: I also received the Clark Art Institute book on English, Irish and Scottish silver. This is a very ambitious book and promises to be well worth reading. Indeed it is! Another great bargain (nonprofit) in silver books on sale. Thanks for calling attention to it. There have been many books on British silver, but this is not "just another one." The photographs of both objects and marks are outstanding, and descriptions are complete and detailed. There is much that should be of interest to others than those whose interests focus solely on this area. This is a heavyweight book, not suitable for bedtime reading, no matter how strong your belly muscles are! Below is the description from their website: quote: English, Irish, & Scottish Silver at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute By Beth Carver Wees The Clark Art Institute holds one of the finest and largest collections of English silver outside of England, including many masterpieces of the silversmith's art. Begun in the 1910s by museum founder Robert Sterling Clark, the collection has continued to grow, guided by Clark's preferences. This book catalogues every object in the collection, from the early sixteenth century to the mid-twentieth century, including seventy-six pieces by Paul de Lamerie and many more by other great Huguenot masters. Detailed entries about some 850 objects provide marks, inscriptions, heraldry, description/construction/condition, comments, provenance, exhibition and publication history; full and fascinating attention is given to altered and spurious pieces. All are illustrated in rich duotone, often with details of decoration, marks, and coats of arms. English, Irish, & Scottish Silver is an invaluable reference for scholars, collectors, and lovers of fine silver. 596 pages, 9 x 11 7/8 inches 9 color and 1,228 duotones Hardcover 1997 Published in association with Hudson Hills Press English, Irish, & Scottish Silver at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute 1-55595-117-1Regular price: $125.00Sale price: $29.98 Available from the Institute Online Bookstore IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 11-11-2006 06:51 AM Via e-mail today, SSF member asheland also recommends: quote: I just bought a great book on English silver, and would like to tell the others. .... The book: English, Irish, & Scottish Silver at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute By Beth Carver Wees 596 pages, 9 x 11 7/8 inches 9 color and 1,228 duotones 1997 Published in association with Hudson Hills Press ISBN 1-55595-117-1 (hardcover) Published price $125.00, currently $29.95 It is highly discounted, I am not sure if it is going out of print, but what a great book! Direct from the Museum's website. IP: Logged
asheland Posts: 935 Registered: Nov 2003	posted 11-12-2006 02:45 AM Thanks Scott! IP: Logged
doc Posts: 728 Registered: Jul 2003	posted 11-16-2006 05:53 PM On the earlier recommendation of the posting of swarter, I purchased this book and it is wonderful! If the sale still continues, then one should seriously consider it as the pricing is substantially discounted. IP: Logged

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