Finding The Grail

A cover

I love mid century architecture/design books and periodicals.  I’ve spent way too much time over the years searching for these books and magazines.  Fortunately, in the process, I have amassed a nice book collection.  Hint: Keep your eyes peeled for publications by Reinhold, Praeger, F.W. Dodge and Braziller

One of my better book/magazine finds, was a huge pile of 1950’s Graphis magazines in a recycling pile on 86th and West End Avenue. (I am not above digging through trash)  Many of these are now held in a Mathieu Mategot magazine rack in my office. This story, though, is not really on point.

Another publication I have always hoped to find in the trash is Arts & Arcitecture from the late 1940’s & 1950’s.  This is primarily because of Arts & Architecture’s comprehensive documentation of the Case Study House program.

Arts & Architecture has a fantastic web site dedicated to the CSH program where you can view the articles documenting the program. If you haven’t seen it, go take a look.

If you’re like me and prefer the tactile experience of turning paper, Taschen recently released a collosal 10 volume set called, “Arts & Architecture 1945-54: The Complete Reprint”  

The Full Set

Ten boxes, each containing a full year of the magazine-it’s almost too much.  The only problem, the $700.00 price tag.

But don’t lament.  I was cruising the internet last night and discovered that Barney’s NY has the whole set on sale at half price….yup half price.  That’s  $350.00. This purchase now seems reasonable….or reasonabler. Even better, free shipping. 

Beware, however, if you live in NY- you will have to pay Sales Tax. 

Click here for the link to the Barney’s website

A couple months ago, I purchased this interesting turned bowl at a church thrift shop on West 96th Street.  It has the name Paul burned into the bottom and identifies the wood as cocobolo.

Cocobolo bowl signed "Paul"

Signature

After bringing the bowl home and giving it a thorough cleaning, I put my fingers to work on another task, trying to identify a maker.  I worked at it for about an hour and  having had no luck, gave up.

Last week, while searching on Ebay, I came across a teak or walnut turned bowl by Paul W. Eshelman.  Due to the similarity in shape, I began to wonder if my bowl might be an Eshelman?

Eshelman Bowl

Eshelman Signature

A bit more research turned up three wood bowls by Eshelman in the collection of the NYC Museum of Art and Design.  Digging a little deeper, I also found that Eshelman  was one of five woodworkers whose work was featured in the American Pavilion of the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair.  The other four participants: Wharton Esherick, Bob Stocksdale, James Prestini and Bruno Groth. (Big names in wood) I wonder why Rude Osolnik wasn’t there?

Eshelman Bowls in MAD Collection

These five individuals were also included as part of a 30 man show in Manhattan entitled, “The American Craftsman.”  According to “The Furniture of Sam Maloof”,  this was the most significant show of modern crafts, that had been organized to that date.

Taking this into account, one would expect to find many more works by Eshelman in museums, auction houses and private collections.  Amazingly enough, this does not seem to be the case. Where did all of Eshelman’s work go….and what of his legacy?

Now, I realize my bowl is likely not attributable Eshelman.  Alas, the signature only says Paul.  That said, it was $3 well spent.  Knowledge, my friends, is priceless.

Sometimes I dream I had gone to architecture school instead of law school.  Inasmuch as I can’t really draw, sketch or do anything artistic, law school seemed like a safer bet.  Google Sketchup, however, has allowed me to bring my architecture fantasies to life (to a limited extent).

For a while now, I have been dreaming of two other things-a garage and a pool. A pool house would also be nice, don’t you think? Okay, so a garage/pool house.

What you see below is a stab at nifty little butterfly roof, garage / pool house based on a small home design by Norman Cherner.  It is designed around 4′ modules for easy construction.  My variation contains parking for two cars, a bathroom and a living area on the pool side that can also be used to accommodate extra summer guests.

Maybe one day this dream could become a reality?  Who knows, stranger things have happened.