This excellent biography of William Spratling is filled with
previously unpublished information and insights on a most
extraordinary man! Through Mark's writing, one has a sense
of the spirit of the man ... his impatience, his passions, his
broad interests, and his caring about the essence of Mexico's
people and their timeless art. William Faulkner, Diego Rivera,
Miguel Covarrubias, Mary Anita Loos, and others appear throughout
this chronicle of Spratling's life. The story of Spratling's
Mexican adventures can only enhance one's appreciation for
his timeless designs. The full and active life he experienced
as he created his silver designs, managed his company, bought
and sold pre-Columbian art, authored books, and more is well
portrayed in this book, as is his lonely existence in his
later years. This well researched and documented book includes
photographs and drawings. Autographed by Joan Mark.
A scholarly
account of William Spratling is based primarily on Spratling's
personal correspondence with his family. Soon after
Spratling's mother died in 1910, Spratling's father took his
three children back to the Alabama family plantation known
as Roamer's Roost. For less than a year the children
remained in the care of their grandfather (Spratling's father
went on to Florida alone) and by 1913, the children were separated
and sent to live with various relatives. Thus was born
an active correspondence that served to strengthen Spratling's
sense of family. Most of Spratling's correspondence
with his family occurred before 1929 and prior to his move
to Mexico, and so the strength of the new insights and perspective
this book provides are most significant concerning the formative
period of Spratling's life. This personal chronicle
has never been made public and now sheds light on the experiences
and feelings that shaped the life of William Spratling.
Littleton provides extensive and rich context for these events
so the reader has a strong sense of the times. Throughout
the book Littleton provides material that contradicts some
of Spratling's own writings in his autobiography, File
on Spratling published posthumously in 1967. Autographed
by Taylor Littleton. This book was published as both a catalogue for the traveling museum exhibit Maestros de Plata sponsored by the San Antonio Museum of Art, with Penny C. Morrill, Guest Curator AND as an extraordinary new reference volume that tells the story of William Spratling's designs and seven decades of silversmiths' art in Mexico. Essays include Renaissance - Transformation by Penny C. Morrill, William Spratling in New Orleans - The 1920s by John W. Scott, Mexico and Taxco, 1920 - 1940: Meccas for North Americans by Helen Delpar, Covarrubias, Spratling, and Davis by Adriana Williams, Origins and Development of the Taxco Silver Industry by Gobi Stromberg, Spratling and the Taxqueñians by Jaime Castrejón Diez, Mexican Metalsmithing Techniques by Christie Romero, The Matter of Taxco by Patrick Kapty, Reflections of a Collector by Jill Crawford, William Spratling: His Hallmarks and Stylistic Development by Phyllis Goddard, Hallmarks by Penny C. Morrill and Phyllis Goddard. This is an exceptional
reference volume for anyone interested in Mexican silver of
the 20th century! There are 450 illustrations with 350
in full color. 284 pages. Autographed by Penny Morrill.
This is much better than the original copy of the catalogue that I have in my collection! The original printing and paper quality was poor, but this slightly larger and digitally enhanced version, spirally bound and on coated paper is terrific! There are twenty pages of actual photos of Spratling designs that he offered for sale in 1962, each labeled with his catalogue ID number. A number of items are shown per page including jewelry, household objects and representative items from his entire line. The back of the catalogue includes Spratling's wholesale price list (in pesos and in U.S. currency) for each item. This is the same supplement Spratling used until his death in 1967. He merely changed the price list insert in the back of the catalogue. Spratling's catalogues are FUN! as well as a wonderful reference aid. Available in the Jewelry and Art Metal section of the Antique and Vintage Catalogs eBay store.
EXPANDED
EDITION OF THIS CLASSIC BOOK! Twenty three pages
of new photographs of outstanding Spratling
items (three photographs from the first edition have been
deleted), an updated hallmark explanation and hallmark
page, a new Preface and the new Introduction
by Cederwall make this beautiful book a "must have"
even if you already own the first edition. The same format
is continued in this volume with specific dimensions, materials,
and hallmarks given for each item. As before, the photography
of the new items (a full page is devoted to each) is masterful!
The dust jacket photograph is one of a pair of book-ends by
Spratling. Cederwall remarked to me "There were
so many images to choose from that would have made great cover
shots. I selected the "Hand" because it was
...totally universal. Spratling was more than... a designer
of Mexican jewelry and silver. I believe he should rank
with the best of the international designers."
This expanded Centennial Edition is an important reference
for the Spratling collector as well as for those who study
and appreciate exceptional design. 176 pages.
Autographed by Sandy Cederwall.
This First Edition "out
of print" book is far more than a "coffee table"
book although it could certainly qualify for that description.
Each of the forty-four full page photographs is a masterpiece!
On the page facing each photograph is specific hallmark, materials
used and dimension information for the item of hollowware
or jewelry pictured. Barnaby Conrad's text is interspersed
with Spratling drawings and photographs. A full page
of general hallmark information (compiled by Ed Forcum and
me more than twelve years ago) is also included. 128 pages.
Autographed by Sandy Cederwall.
This
is the most recent revised edition of the volume originally
published in 1994. Mexican Silver is the first definitive
reference book devoted to Mexican silver of the twentieth
century with a strong emphasis on Spratling's designs and
production. The work of a number of designers is presented,
but it generally is within the context of Spratling's influence.
Extensive references are cited including conversations with
Spratling's contemporaries in Mexico and the United States,
Spratling documents retained by the Sucesores de William Spratling,
and archival documents from government and library sources.
The book includes more than 400 photographs, a listing of
hallmarks used by Mexican silversmiths, and a value reference
guide. This book is a "must" for anyone interested in learning
more about Mexican silver, Taxco silver designers, and William
Spratling. Autographed by Penny Morrill. Another Book... Personal Encounters with William Faulkner, Carl Sandburg, Gertrude Stein, William Spratling, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, and T.S. Eliot by Ralph Hammond was published in December 2001. The two sections on Spratling describe Hammond's personal account and experiences with Spratling when Spratling received an Honorary Doctorate degree from Auburn University in 1962. Livingston Press of The University of West Alabama is the publisher. A Delightful Magazine Article... Alabama Heritage Magazine, Number 59, Winter 2001, published in February 2001, contains a ten page, delightful and informative article entitled "William Spratling" by Wayne Greenhaw. The cover of the magazine is a beautiful photograph of a Spratling necklace. The article itself is accompanied by photographs of Spratling as well as drawings and photographs of some of his designs. Copies of the magazine can be ordered from Alabama Heritage, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487. Telephone number is 205.348.7467. Cost of the magazine is $8.50 including postage and handling. Another Great Magazine
Article... The story of the reappearance - after fifty years - of Spratling's Alaskan models is told by Anya Montiel, a research assistant for the Indian Arts and Crafts Board Headquarters Collection of the National Museum of the American Indian. The article, "Remarkable Story Uncovered" appears in the Smithsonian's American Indian Magazine, Spring 2002. The magazine is published quarterly as an NMAI member benefit; annual membership is $20. To become a member, call 1.800.242.6624 or visit NMAI's website at www.AmericanIndian.si.edu.
© Copyright
1999-2003 - Phyllis Goddard - All Rights Reserved
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