Rockwell Kent : the art of the bookplate /

During the first half of the 20th century, Rockwell Kent (1882-1971) was one of the most famous artists working in America. But tastes change, and by the mid-Sixties interest in his work had all but disappeared. Several recent exhibits and a handful of newly published books, however, have rekindled interest in this protean man. Trained as an architect, Kent was equally adept as a painter, printmaker, illustrator, writer, sailor, and adventurer. He was also a book collector, with a personal library that numbered in the thousands, each one carefully identified with a bookplate of his own design. Between 1912 and 1968 he designed more than 160 bookplates as commissions or as gifts for friends. Most are included in this book, which also offers historical and anecdotal information on how each came to be, as well as biographical information on the artist's very unconventional life. Kent's bold graphic style makes each bookplate a joy to behold, and the text by Roberts (editor, The Diaries of Adam and Eve: Translated by Mark Twain) is a fascinating read. Recommend primarily for art libraries and library science collections. [The Prints of Rockwell Kent: A Catalogue Rainsonn? was revised and reprinted by Wofsy Fine Arts in 2002.-Ed.]-Margarete Gross, Chicago P.L. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.