Wright Chat

JimM · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 1070 Location: Anacortes, WA

Found it interesting to watch one volume go in two minutes from under $80 to almost $300.

Apparently still a good investment.

dkottum · Joined: 09 Jan 2005 Posts: 375 Location: Battle Lake, MN

Glad that I have a set, but mine would not qualify as investment. They are badly worn. These drawings and plans read like poetry. Here is an essential study of FLLW design, and progression of his genius.

Doug Kottum, Battle Lake

Guest · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 4:08 pm Post subject:

I lucked out at tax time a few years ago (when concerns other than expensive Wright books are on peoples minds!) and was able to get a near pristine set for $2k.

Nonetheless, I can't imagine ever parting with them.

pharding · Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 4:16 am Post subject:

What monograph are people referring to? Reprint of of the Wasmuth Portfolio or something else? Thanks.
_________________
Paul Harding FAIA Owner and Restoration Architect for FLW's 1901 E. Arthur Davenport House, the First Prairie School House in Chicago | www.harding.com | LinkedIn

Guest · Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 7:33 am Post subject:

Paul, I would be referring to the 12 volume set, Frank Lloyd Wright Monograph published by A.D.A. EDITA in 1986.

Doug Kottum, Battle Lake

flwright · Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2005 7:37 pm Post subject:

The monograph series is a must have for any avid Wright fan. . . each volume is profusely illustrated with virtually everything ever conceived by Wright. I have only been lucky enough to view three of the twelve volumes. What I wouldn't do to have my own set . . .
_________________
Morgan

pharding · Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2005 8:01 pm Post subject:

What are good sources for the purchase of the 12 volume monograph set?
_________________
Paul Harding FAIA Owner and Restoration Architect for FLW's 1901 E. Arthur Davenport House, the First Prairie School House in Chicago | www.harding.com | LinkedIn

Guest · Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2005 8:36 pm Post subject:

Shiningbrow.com lists the 12 volume monograph sets under their Rare Book Gallery. These were published in hard cover and paperback editions, with the hard cover probably much more collectable and expensive. But the pages themselves in either edition are identical I believe, so if your purpose is personal study rather than investment, why not wear out the less expensive version? Be sure to get a good magnifying glass along with them, as they consist of photos, drawings, and working prints that were reduced from large drafting size to a few inches. If you enjoy FLLW architecture, this will help pass many winter evenings, for many years.

Doug Kottum

Battle Lake, MN

Guest · Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 2:11 am Post subject:

If you are only interested in purchasing the hard cover edition for investment purposes, be sure to get the cardboard cases (boxes) that each volume originally was sold with. I would think that without the boxes, the resale value for a collector would be reduced without them. It is also important to properly package these books for moving as each volume is heavy and could suffer damage if left unsupported.

Guest · Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 9:07 am Post subject:

Abebooks.com is the best source for out-of-print books. Among its useful features is the ability to maintain a list of books you're searching for and be notified by email whenever a new copy is listed.

JimM · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 1070 Location: Anacortes, WA

The last full set I personally saw was on the top shelf of an architectural book store in downtown Seattle (don't have the name at hand) 2 years ago-they may still be there since I saw them a few years before that. They were asking about $4k, a bit higher than my eBay victory of $2.2k (still a good deal even without the boxes-and one would be foolish to pass a set up even if it did not include them).

From a designers point of view, one especially nice feature of the set is the inclusion of some of the earliest blueprints, plans, sections and drawings in Wright's own hand (especially the Oak Park house) before he started needing help at the studio. Most of us will never have the opportunity to peruse the Taliesin archives, and this collection is the next best thing.

Guest · Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 12:10 pm Post subject:

Speaking of expensive publications, would anyone have experience with the "FLLW: Presentation and Conceptual Drawings/4 CD/CD-Rom" set? How does it compare to the 12 volume Monograph set, relative to content and value?

Douglas Kottum, Battle Lake

Guest · Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 12:38 pm Post subject:

I haven't seen the item you mention (but would love to), I think it contains transparencies of the archive in digital format; superior to print and costly. Have no idea how it stacks up as a "collectible."

There was a reference to it in posts past, I think under a different name.

SteveO · Guest

Some people may also go to a top or large University library to find these 12 volumes. The public library will not have these. They are usually locked behind closed doors and you will need ID to see them. I also hear (correct me if I am wrong?) that volume 12 is the most valuable. Vol. 12 has all the color renderings. Most of the other volumes are in B&W.

On a side note, I contacted the publisher in Japan about 2 years ago to see if maybe I can buy any of the volumes. They laughed and said they have no more. Who knows...maybe they will publish them again.

It makes Storrer's work look like garbage!

jpflood · Guest

With demand driving the price so high it makes you wonder why the publisher does not reprint.