DESIGN FROM SCANDINAVIA: No. 10
Kirsten Bjerregaard [Editor]
Kirsten Bjerregaard [Editor]: DESIGN FROM SCANDINAVIA: NO. 10 Copenhagen, Denmark: World Pictures, CA. 1977. Original edition. Text in English, French, German, and Danish. A very good or better softcover book with printed stiff wrappers: wrappers lightly worn with some spotting to rear panel. Interior unmarked and very clean. Out-of-print.
9.25 x 12.5 softcover book with 143 pages with approx. 400 color illustrations. From the introduction: “This is the tenth edition of the annual Design from Scandinavia, a report in pictures and text of developments in the four Scandinavian countries, an account of the latest and best, of products which have been carefully selected, and of settings which reflect the Scandinavian appreciation of quality.” Editorial contributions by Jens Bernsen, Jens Nielsen, Eric Kruskopf, Ulf Hard, Grete Jalk, and others. Chairs on the cover by Poul Kjaerholm. Other designers include Fritz Hansen, Hans Wegner, Ole Wanscher, and Finn Juhl.
All pieces are identified by name and manufacturers information concerning dimensions and finishes. I suspect this information could be useful to some people out there.
Represented firms include Kvadrat, Ole Kortzau, Bang & Olufsen, Stelton, Fyrtonden, Richard Nissen, Hackman’s, Point of Sweden, Opa Oy, Atelje Lyktan, Focus Belysning, Rais, Louis Poulsen & Co., Philips, Studio Glashyttan, Pentik, Kosta, Orrefors, Littala, Holmegaard, Bing & Grondahl, The Royal Copenhagen Porcelain, Georg Jensen, Lapponia, Carl M. Cohr, Kinnasand, Tampella, Marks-Pelle Vavare, Sandudd, Marimekko, Gudbrandsdalens Uldvarefabrik, L. F. Foght, Vuokko, Kirsten Lundbergh, Gabriel, Dansk Wilton, Lyngtaepper, Gram Taeppefabrik, Kvist Mobler, Dasama, Westnofa, A. Klaessons Mobelfabrik, Munch Mobler, Herbert Andersson, P. Jeppesens Mobelfabrik, PP-mobler, Johannes Hansen Mobelsnedkeri, Magnus Olesen, Erik Boisens Mobelfabrik, Botium, Bondo Gravesen, NKR, Rykken & Co., Bruksbo-Mobler, Martela Oy, Artek, Sool, Laukaan Puu Oy, Soborg Mobelfabrik, J. L. Moller, Dux, Madsen & Schubell, H. J. Winthers Garveri, Akuma, Muurames, Castenschiold & Gronvold, Sintek, Skippers Mobler, Hald & Brand, Erik Jorgensen Mobelfabrik, Sannemanns Mobelfabrik, N. Eilersen, Bjorn Weckstrom, and Svenkst Tenn.
In 1954 the four Scandinavian countries, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland arranged what proved to be the most important marketing effort ever for Scandinavian design—the monumental exhibition Design in Scandinavia. From 1954 to 1963 Design in Scandinavia toured the United States and Canada. The exhibition was presented in 27 cities, and it was a huge success, initiated by The Danish Society of Arts and Crafts and its sister organizations in the other participating countries.
Based on the success the four countries established what they called the Scandinavian Design Cavalcade, which had a lot of US press coverage as well. In that connection the July 1963 issue of House Beautiful was centered around The Scandinavian Look in U.S. Homes, and it was Denmark and Danish Design in particular that the magazine focussed on. Besides the editorial pages, the numerous ads illustrates that Danish modern furniture was increasingly gaining a stronghold among certain groups of American consumers.
Importers and retail chains like John Stuart Inc., George Tanier, Raynor and Dunbar etc. now sold Danish modern furniture in the US, and by now it was not only hand crafted furniture from the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibitions but also pieces from industrial furniture producers like Fritz Hansen, Søborg Møbelfabrik, Fredericia Furniture and many others. From the end of the 1950s Danish Department stores and other retailers produced comprehensive brochures and booklets in English with prices in US Dollars presenting Danish Design to American and other tourists.
Without exception, these stores all presented the narrative of Danish modern. “Denmark is known all over the world for its exquisite home furnishing, which are characterized by their outstanding design and superb craftsmanship” the department store Magasin claimed in its brochure “Danish Design.”