Modern reference guides are fine, but books contemporary to an era are usually so much more informative. And a number of these books are sought-after by both dealers and collectors of mid-century design. One such book is Modern Design In Wood by Richard Stewart.
Printed in 1979, Modern Design In Wood is a superb reference to an era not particularly well documented – wood-based design from the late 60s and into the 1970s, with everything from sculpture and jewellery through to tables, cabinets and fitted units. It’s particularly strong on stylish designs by a host of (as now) lesser-known British and European designers which are certain to be collectables of the future, as well as a couple that are currently on the rise – Merrow Associates features prominently.
If you spend your time browsing eBay or trawling house clearance stores, this is certainly a good book to absorb. Long out of print, but you can easily pick up used copies on Abebooks. Indeed, the book itself could well be an investment for the future.
