Categories / Books, Design and Interiors

eBay watch: L’Utopie Du Tout Plastique 1960 – 1973 book

Lutopie

If you want to start collecting space age design of the 1960s and '70s, don't buy anything until you own a copy of L'Utopie Du Tout Plastique 1960 – 1973, a copy of which is on eBay right now.

It's an exhibition catalogue from 1994, specifically for an exhibition of space age design at the Brussels Foundation for Architecture. That has long gone, but the catalogue has become the definite guide to the area of design, featuring names and brands including Ettore Sottsass, Joe Colombo, Verner Panton, Maurice Calka, Anna Castelli, Eero Aarnio, Peter Ghyczy, Vico Magistretti, Gae Aulenti, Giotto Stoppino, Marco Zanuso, Maurer-Becker, Cazenave, Kartell, Guzzini, Archizoom, Artemide, Superstudio, Videosphere, Ericofon, Olivetti, BrionVega, Braun, Panasonic, Weltron, Courrèges, Cardin…you get the idea.

158 pages, 194 illustrations and even though the text is in French, non-French speakers will still find much in the detail on offer. Always expensive these days (especially as it's looming out of print), the copy we've spotted on eBay is just £5 right now.

Find out more at the eBay website

Categories / Books, Kids

Vintage-style book boxes from Dotcomgiftshop

Treasure box
You or your kids looking for a secret hiding places? Perhaps not the most secure – but possibly the most fun – option are these vintage-style book boxes available from the Dotcomgiftshop.

From the outside, they look like old-fashioned childhood tales of daring. Take a peek inside and they're revealed to host a secret hiding place, perfect for stashing away a few secrets. Made from wood, while the box pictured looks like an adventure book, take a look at the other 'titles' which focus on a gymkhana, Buffalo Bill or a plain and simple A to Z. Each imaginary book cover is packed full of nostalgic charm. 

The boxes cost £5.50 each.

Buy them online

Categories / Art and Photography, Books, Design and Interiors

Postcards from Puffin: 100 Book Covers in One Box

Puffin

Fans of vintage literature and 20th century design will no doubt love Postcards from Puffin: 100 Book Covers in One Box.

It is just that, 100 postcards in a books-shaped box, each of the postcards featuring a different classic/iconic cover from a Puffin gem you might well remember from childhood.

70 years of British design and illustration history in one box – and yours for just £7.29.

Find out more at the Amazon website

Categories / Books, Retro Men's Fashion

The Day of the Peacock: Style for Men 1963-73 book

Peacock3

If you fancy yourself as a modern-day 'dandy ', you might want to see how it was done in its heyday. Luckily for you, a book has just been published by the V&A showing that very thing – The Day of the Peacock: Style for Men 1963-73 by Geoffrey Aquilina Ross.

Geoffrey Aquilina Ross was the men's editor for Vogue in the 1960s and in this book, he recalls the era’s most dashing figures, including Tommy Nutter, Mick Jagger and Patrick Lichfield, as well as discussing iconic shops and tailors such as Granny takes a Trip, Blades, Hung on You and Mr Fish. Christopher Breward’s introduction throws in some social and cultural context too.

Packed with colour illustrations too (150 in total), the hardback book is available now, with Amazon discounting it to £19.99. If you're into vintage clobber, it looks like a must-buy. Some black and white images over the page.

Find out more about the book at the Amazon website

Via His Knibs

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Categories / Bags, Books, Film and TV, Food and Drink

James Bond collection at Art Meets Matter

From russia with love
Art Meets Matter are celebrating 007 with their James Bond collection.

The range includes mugs, book bags and deckchairs covered with the covers of some of Ian Fleming's most famous books. Though the designs have a period feel, they're actually taken from the 2002 US editions of the books and are designed by Richie Fahey.

There are six different novels to pick from for the mugs and a selection of three titles used on the bags, including the From Russia With Love design shown above. Meanwhile, you can pick from either  Casino Royale or Thunderball (pictured over the page) to adorn your deckchair. 

The mugs cost £8.95, the book bag costs £15.95 while the chair is available for £74.95. 

See the range online

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Categories / Books

Hairstyles: Ancient to Present

Hairstyles
We've shown you some practical guides to vintage hairdressing but for a different approach you may want to pick up a copy of Hairstyles: Ancient to Present.

Written by Charlotte Fiell and published by her Fiell Publishing company, it's a huge doorstopper of a book: with over one thousand images and 576 pages of hair inspiration. It charts some of the most elaborate styles throughout history, going right back to ancient Greece, but with plenty of twentieth-century fancy folicles to explore too. There's the flapper bob, Twiggy's crop and the mohawk just for starters. 

It's not a cheap buy – the book is priced £49.95 and is currently available on Amazon for £47.75 – but potentially a sound investment if you are considering a new hairstyle.