Decorative Designers AKA “DD” (1895–1931) was an American firm of artists, each of whom designed various aspects of books and other publications, “an early example of division of labor in creative work.” The “DD” monogram appears on more than 25,000 book covers, dust jackets, and text decorations of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.[1][2][3] In 1906, they had offices at 38 Union Square, New York City.[4]
Members
- Henry W. Thayer (1867–1940), co-founder[5] and President (1906)[4]
- Jay Chambers (1877–1929),[6] Secretary (1906)[4]
- Emma Reddington Lee Thayer (1874–1973), co-founder
- Charles Buckles Falls (1874–1960)
- Rome K. Richardson
- Adam Empie
See also
- Charles Buckles Falls
- Howard Pyle
- John Espey
- American Pre-Raphaelites
- Morris & Co.
- American Union of Decorative Artists and Craftsmen
References
- ^ “Decorative Designers (firm, 1895–1931)”. University of Alabama. 2005. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
- ^ Gullans, Charles; Espey, John (1970). The Decorative Designers 1895–1932. UCLA Library. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
- ^ Gullans, Charles; Espey, John (1979). “American Trade Bindings and Their Designers, 1880–1915”. In Jean Peters (ed.). Collectible Books: Some New Paths. R.R. Bowker. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
- ^ a b c The Trow (formerly Wilson’s) Copartnership and Corporation Directory of New York City. Trow. 1906. p. 184. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
- ^ “Obituary: Henry W. Thayer”. New York Times. May 13, 1940. p. 21. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
- ^ “Fields of Gold: American Decorated Trade Bindings and Their Designers, 1890–1915”. Cary Graphic Arts Collection – Rochester Institute of Technology. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
External sources
- Smithsonian: Decorative Designers (Firm)
- University of Pennsylvania: Decorative Designers. bdd
- Galleries of Decorative Designers work
- Gallery Archive of Richard Minsky