The Modern House in England

Artists: Erno Goldfinger, Marcel Breuer, F.R.S.Yorke, Maxwell Fry, Walter Gropius, Serge Chermayeff, Eric Mendelsohn, J.L.Martin, Christopher Nicholson et al. 
Author: F.R.S.Yorke 
Publisher: The Architectural Press 
Date: 1944 
Condition: The 1944 second edition of this book (first pub.1937), with red/brown embossed lettering on the cream linen-covered boards (dust wrapper absent). The linen is a little grubby but intact, and internally the book is generally clean, tidy and complete. On the back inside cover and last flyleaf page there are several light pencil sketches of furniture and architectural plans; it is unclear if these are copied from existing examples or if they are a former owner's sketch ideas. On some projects, there are light pencil notations as to the project costs. The inside front cover has a pen and ink squiggle. Extensively illustrated throughout with black and white plates and architectural plans.

The Modern House in England was seen as companion volume to Yorke's slightly earlier 1934 book, The Modern House, and, as the title suggests, it focusses entirely on projects in England. However, the uncertain times of the 1930s which had brought several significant European architects and designers to England meant that the projects illustrated have a very international flavour. 

Beautifully designed and produced, from the modishly lower-case titles to the plain paper section divider pages, especially when considering the wartime publishing limitations, The Modern House in England was an important volume in its time and significantly influenced the generation of architects and designers who reshaped and rebuilt Britain after the end of WWII. 

Of particular interest to those who like the paintings and sculpture of the period is the game of spot the artwork one can play here - I think I can see examples of Ben Nicholson, Henry Moore and John Piper!