DESIGN FROM SCANDINAVIA: No. 11
Kirsten Bjerregaard [Editor]
Kirsten Bjerregaard [Editor]: DESIGN FROM SCANDINAVIA: No. 11. Copenhagen, Denmark: World Pictures, CA. 1978. Original edition. Text in English, French, German, and Danish. A nearly fine softcover book with printed stiff wrappers: wrappers lightly worn. Interior unmarked and very clean. Out-of-print.
9.25 x 12.5 softcover book with 144 pages and approx. 400 color illustrations. From the Publisher: “World Pictures is a Danish, family-owned publishing house, specialising in richly illustrated design publications for professionals and private design lovers all over the world.” The best of Scandinavian Design smelling of comfort, wood, and sunshine.
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.
- J. L. Mollers Mobelfabrik: manufacturer/designer of wooden chairs
- Danish Interior Design
- Living with Scandinavian Design
- Sweden's New House of Parliament
- Glasswork, Tableware, Cookware
- Fashion
- Industrial Design
- Furniture
- Textiles
- Lighting
- Index
Represented firms include Arabia, Artek, Asko-Upo, Bang & Olufsen, Berg Furniture, Dansk, Fabers Fabriker, Getama, Holmegaarde Glasvaerker, Iittala Glassworks, Georg Jensen, Erik Jorgensen, P. Jeppensens, Kevi, Kinnasand, Kjaers Molle, Kompan Multikunst Design, Kongelige Porcelains-fabrik, Kvist Mobler, Vermund Larsen, Mathsson International, MAXAM Lamps, Richard Nissen, Arne Norell, Orrefors Glasbruk, Philips Lampe, Louis Poulsen and Co., P. P. Mobler, Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Manufactory Ltd., Rykken + Co., Rorstrand, Saga Furs of Scandinavia, Scandinavian Furniture Fair, Scandinavian Trade Mart, Sedostol, Sibast Mobler, Swedish Furniture Manufacturers’ Association, Soderberg Mobler, Vuokko, Westnofa, and many many more.
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.”