Buckland Books
 
Once or twice in the past, we've lamented the fact that there were so few books on the fabulous tile heritage of Spain.  Well, we have no fewer than three new books on the subject in this latest update!  And superb books they are too.  Full details below.
 
We have also managed at last to get hold of a book on the recent excavations at Belkis/Zeugma. It details the last minute attempts to recover as much material as possible before the Roman City remains were covered by the waters of the latest dam across the Euphrates, and includes illustrations of some of the outstanding mosaics which were rescued just in time.
 
TILES
 
 
0376 CERÁMICA ARQUITECTÓNICA: AZULEJOS VALENCIANOS DE SERIE, EL SIGLO XIX  £45.00
Inocencio V. Pérez Guillén, Institut de Promoció Ceràmica, Spain, 2000, Spanish text, 3 volumes: Vol 1: Text:, 231pp, + 16pp colour plates, + 89 b & w illus in text; Vol 2: Illustrations, 499pp, 684 b & w tile drawings; Vol 3: illustrations, 785pp, 750 b & w tile drawings + 16pp colour plates, cased
 
This amazing set of volumes continues the story of Valencian tile manufacture started in 0333 (see our main list). It contains in the two illustration volumes, a virtually complete catalogue raisonné of 19th century Valencian tile design in the form of drawings, supplemented with numerous colour illustrations. The three volumes are beautifully produced and remarkable value for money, a must for all with an interest in Spanish tiles!
 
0377 CATÁLOGO DE LA COLECCIÓN DE AZULEJOS DE SERIE DEL SIGLO XIX                   £75.00
Vicent Joan Estall i Poles, Faenza Editrice Ibérica, s.l., Spain, 2001, Spanish text, 367pp, over 1400 colour illus, cloth, DUE SOON
 
This is a complete catalogue of the tile collection of the museum at Onda, a tile manufacturing centre near Castellón in Spain. The layout is superb and the beautiful colour illustrations do full credit to the colourful tiles produced in this region. It is interesting to note how many of the designs are based on English (particularly Minton) tiles of the 19th century. There are also drawings of tile backs which should prove invaluable in identifying 19th century Spanish tiles. RECOMMENDED!
 
2212 VANITÉS DE FAÏENCE, Entre Provence et Languedoc, carreaux de céramique espagnols, XVÎème – XVIIIème siècles                                                                                                 £25.00
Various authors, Conseil Général, Bouches-du-Rhône, France, 2000, French text, 186pp, 74 plates featuring hundreds of colour illustrations, paperback
 
Spanish tiles were very popular in the South of France during the late middle ages and on into the Renaissance and many examples are still to be seen in situ in the great (and small) houses of the area. This book is the superb catalogue of an exhibition held at the Museum in Arles from November 2000 to March 2001. This is the first book to really explore the use of such tiles, often on floors, rather than their more familiar use on walls.
 
2039 THE TILE FILE, CD-ROM                                                                                 £10.00 inc VAT
Francis Celoria, updated by Peter Clegg, Tiles & Architectural Ceramics Society, 2001, CD-ROM.
 
A comprehensive guide to the manufacturers of tiles from medieval times to the present day. Lists each manufacturer with address, dates and type of products manufactured. This CD-ROM has the File in both Word 6 and html versions (access via your web browser) and will be regularly updated by articles in the Tiles and Architectural Ceramics Society’s publications and web site (www.tilesoc.org.uk).
 
 
 
1638 PAINTED CLAY: Graphic Arts and the Ceramic Surface                                             £28.00
Paul Scott, A & C Black, 2001, 176pp, 235 colour illus, boards
 
This long-awaited tour de force is a superb study of the relationship between art and pottery. In the past, the decoration of a pot has often been seen as secondary to its functionality. Paul puts forward the theory that the pot is actually a canvas to decorate on, and he includes tiles as part of this idea. Beautifully illustrated with examples of true ‘Art Pots’, this is stirring stuff!
 
0375 COLLECTING POOLE POTTERY                                                                                  £16.95
Robert Prescott-Walker, Francis Joseph, 2000, 140pp, 315 colour illus + 19 b & w, paperback
 
A ‘price guide’ to collectable Poole Pottery and Carter tiles. Well illustrated, but some of the prices seem a bit off-beam! Useful for identifying Poole pottery and includes some tiles that are not illustrated elsewhere.
 
MOSAICS
 
 
0242 BELKIS/ZEUGMA, HALFETI, RUMKALE, A Last Look at History                                   £25.00
Nezih Başgelen & Rifat Ergeç, Archaeology & Art Pubns, Turkey, 2000, English text, 64pp, 110 colour illus + a few b & w illus/maps in text, large paperback
The loss of the ancient site of Belkis/Zeugma under the rising waters of the Birecik Dam has received international publicity and the finds discovered during the last-minute rescue dig have astonished archaeologists across the world. This booklet details many of the finds unearthed then, including the fabulous mosaics rescued just days before the waters engulfed the site.
1820 ROMAN WOODCHESTER                                                                                              £3.50
Rev. John Cull, Woodchester Village Hall Trust/Pitkin, 2000, 32pp, 55 colour illus, booklet
The famous Orpheus Roman Mosaic at Woodchester is sadly buried under the village churchyard and has rarely seen the light of day. This booklet has many interesting and historic views of the mosaic taken on those rare occasions when it has been uncovered. The text is simple but adequate and underlines the mosaic’s importance.
0004 Actes du VIIème Colloque AIEMA, Tunis, 1998                                                           £99.00
Various authors, Institut National du Patrimoine, Tunisia, 2000, mainly French text, 2Vols, Cloth
 
We are beginning to get a few copies of this important report through from Tunisia, but they are only coming in very slowly. If you would like to go on our waiting list, please let us know and we will inform you when a copy is available.
 
0922 MOSAIC: Home Decorating Series                                                                               £7.95
Helen Baird, Southwater, 2000, 96pp, fully illus in colour throughout, paperback
 
Simple, basic mosaics for the do-it-yourselfer or novice. A paperback version of Inspirations: Mosaics first published in 1998.
 
BRICK/TERRACOTTA:
 
2043 THE TERRACOTTA DESIGNS OF ALFRED WATERHOUSE                                          £34.95
Colin Cunningham, Wiley-Academy, 2001, 192pp, 37 b & w + 55 colour illus, 134 facsimile drawings, quarto paperback
 
This book explores the development of Waterhouse’s work and in particular, the events which led to his astonishing designs for the terracotta of the Natural History Museum in London. It also contains all the incredible pencil drawings of flora and fauna from which the terracotta was executed. A superb record of a fabulous building!
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
1210 LINOLEUM: HISTORY, DESIGN, ARCHITECTURE, 1882-2000                                        £42.00
Gerhard Kaldewei (Ed), Natje Cantz, Germany, 2000, English text, 251pp, illus throughout in colour and b & w (archive illus), boards
 
Although somewhat outside our normal scope, this book has much to interest tile and mosaic lovers. It is the catalogue of an exhibition covering the history and manufacture of the German firm, Anker Linoleum. Anker employed some of the finest architects and designers of the early-mid 20th century to design linoleum and interiors for them. A fascinating book given the revival of interest in this versatile material.
0723 GEOMETRIC PATTERNS FROM PATCHWORK QUILTS                                                 £2.95
Robert Field, Tarquin Pubns, 2001, 64pp, 136 colour illus + numerous drawings, A5 booklet
 
The latest and probably the best yet of Bob Field’s excellent Geometric Patterns series. The relationship between patchwork quilts and mosaics is obvious, and this little booklet explores patchwork as essentially a ‘mosaic in fabric’. To confirm this, the booklet also has a number of photographs of mosaics and opus sectile work. Great value!
 
0920 THE IMPERIAL CITIES OF MOROCCO                                                                         £14.99
Mohamed Métalsi, Cécile Tréal & Jean-Michel Ruiz, Terrail, France, 2000, English edition, 207pp, 252 colour illus + 5 coloured maps, large paperback
 
A superb introduction to the life and architecture of the four Imperial Cities of Morocco: Fez, Meknes, Rabat and Marrakesh. Many of the excellent illustrations feature ‘Zillij’, the traditional cut-tilework which is still executed today. Excellent value!
 
 
Well, That's all for this time.  Don't forget we now accept VISA, MASTERCARD and SWITCH payments as well as cheques in Euros and US Dollars.  If you do not wish to receive further e-mail updates, please send us an e-mail with the word 'unsubscribe'.  If you have been forwarded this update and would like to receive it regularly, please e-mail us with the word 'subscribe'.
 
Chris Blanchett,
Proprietor
 
Buckland Books, Holly Tree House, 18 Woodlands Road, LITTLEHAMPTON, West Sussex, BN17 5PP
England
Tel/Fax: +44 (0) 1903 717 648
E-mail: cblanchett@lineone.net


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