By Harry Lyons - Published by Antique Collectors' Club - 2004Hardback with Dustjacket - 320 pages - 282 mm x 220 mm
400 Colour & 250 Black+White Illustrations.
Christopher Dresser (1834-1904) was a Victorian from a humble provincial background, who pushed back the frontiers of class privilege to claim his place as the first designer of the industrial age with the household in mind. Dresser's message was that cheap, affordable items need not be ugly. His numerous designs were decades ahead of his time, selling in America, Australia, China, India and Africa; many of these designs still feature in the life-style magazines of today.
In this extensively researched book with over 400 colour and 250 black and white illustrations, Harry Lyons, an acknowledged Dresser expert, takes a comprehensive look at Dresser's work, including his less well-known designs in textiles, wallpapers and graphic design. Christopher Dresser -The People's Designer also points the way to new areas of collecting Dresser design, examining some of the previously overlooked manufacturers, whose wares are still readily available and affordable.