Ten Years of British Architecture: '45-55

Artists: Peter Womersley, James Cubitt, Frederick Gibberd, F.R.S.Yorke, H.T.Cadbury-Brown, J.L.Martin, Powell & Moya, A & P Smithson et al. 
Author: John Summerson (intro.) 
Publisher: Arts Council 
Date: 1956 
Condition: A generally very good copy of this relatively scarce catalogue, some very slight chips to the cover edges, and some light pencil jottings on the back cover

Published to accompany a 1956 exhibition at the Arts Council space in St.James's Square, this well-illustrated look at new architecture during the preceding decade is very interesting, if very much about the new styles. Indeed a contemporary review in The Spectator by John Betjeman highlighted how well the buildings looked in the bright sunlight of the photos compared to the realities of a rainy grey day!

However, the forward-looking vision for architecture is clear and whilst we know now the shortcomings of many of the projects listed, the intentions are clear and, for the most part, aiming for an improvement in public building projects.