The ever so great Taschen has done it again. This time with tickets to ride, fly, sail and drive, they cover 100-years of traveling from an American perspective. At 392 pages filled with spectacular illustrations, ads and other goodies for only $39.99 it’s a bargain and available to purchase in May. Which is your preferred way of traveling? By land, air or sea?
In less than 100 years, the U.S. mass-produced the automobile, invented airplanes, freeways, motels, even sent men to the Moon. Travel grew ever faster and easier. Above all, it was democratized — enabling millions to explore distant lands, or see their own more fully. At the start of the 20th century, only people with extensive disposable income and time to spare could enjoy leisure travel. By the century’s end, journeys took hours, not days, and mass travel — especially brief air flights — became the new normal. Along the way, ocean liners broke speed records, aerodynamic trains roared down the tracks, stylish boat-plane clippers evolved into jumbo jets. Whether aboard high-speed locomotives or ships, jets, or Greyhound buses — or when setting their own schedule on the open road — Americans demanded ever greater mobility and wider choice of destinations, thereby setting a new standard for travelers around the world.
By Chris
March 23rd, 2010
The great Taschen gives us another treat just in time for Christmas, Magic 1400s – 1950s. Illusion, enchantment and wonder are all words that have become synonymous with magicians and entertainment. For decades we have been fascinated by the unknown, in fear, amusement and even laughter. Author Noel Daniel takes us on a fun 650-page journey from darkness of the middle ages up until the legendary magicians of the early 20th Century. The fabulous artwork alone should be enough to convince you to get your hands on a copy. For more information and pricing, visit our friends as Taschen. [Thanks Cam]
By Chris
December 22nd, 2009
Ultra Swank – Your one stop blog for retro living, style and design
Ultra Swank takes you back in time into the kitsch, chic and swank living of the 50s, 60s and the 70s. We mainly focus on the design, architecture and the lifestyle of the happy-go-lucky and space-age-living mentality of that era – but also on the music and movies that takes you back to happier times. Ultra Swank is run by Chris, a Swede born in the wrong decade that currently resides in Barcelona. Read more
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I always found the Motorola TV ads from Taschen’s book All-American Ads of the 60s very unique. They feel so retro but still very futuristic at the same time and I love the way they portray the future in such a optimistic and bright way that was only possible in the mid 20th century. The illustrations were drawn by Charles Schridde and the advertisements were often seen in Life Magazine and The Saturday Evening Post among other places in the early 1960s.
Sadly the first edition of the Taschen book is out of print and no longer available through their website. But you can surely get it through Amazon and other online shops. (Via) [Thanks Fhardyfan]
By Chris
July 17th, 2009
Taschen is one of my favorite publishers of 20th century design and architecture themed books. I have a couple in my collection, but there’s room for many more – like this one. 20th Century Fashion: 100 Years of Apparel Ads takes us through a stylish 100 years of fashion during the 20th Century via 400 fashion advertisements from the Jim Heimann Collection. This is a must have for any fashionista or trendsetter. 20th Century Fashion: 100 Years of Apparel Ads can be obtained from most book stores or through Taschen’s website. It covers 464 pages in total which makes it a steal at only £27.99. [Thanks Cam]
By Chris
July 10th, 2009
I’m a big fan of Taschen’s books. So far I have purchased their two advertising books from the 1950s and 1960s. The 50s book is the newer edition with only some 350 pages, the first edition had over 900 pages, but it seams that it is out of print now. I was lucky to find the 60s book at the swank department store Harrods in London last year. If you are into Googie design or just like the colorful, simple, but yet elegant designs of that period, be sure to get the advertising series from Taschen.
By Chris
September 21st, 2005
