Lows Illustrated Catalogue of Art Tiles Made by J. G. & J. F. Low

E-381. Good. Hardcover. Hardcover. Folio. Published by J. G. & J. F. Low , Chelsea, MA. 1884. Illustrated with 30 plates. Ex-library item with library bookplate present to the reverse of the front board. Bound in illustrated paper covered cloth boards with titles present to the spine and front board. Boards have shelf-wear present to the extremities (boards have been rebacked and are chipped and worn to the extremities). Title page is chipped and worn and repaired with archival tape. No ownership marks present. Text is clean and free of marks. Binding tight and solid. These books are extremely useful in identifying unmarked tiles, and they provide an interesting look at the full assortment of tiles made by a particular factory at a particular time. Unfortunately, many of these historic catalogues are lost, and those which remain are very rare. Together with his father, John Gardener Low, founded the J. & J. G. Low Art Tile Works in Chelsea, Massachusetts in 1877, having been inspired by the European tiles at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. The company's reputation grew rapidly in the early 1880's as many prestigious medals were won. The company's name was altered in 1883 when John G.' s son, J. F. Low, took the place of his grandfather who had retired. It was four years later in 1887 when this catalogue was first produced, one of only two published by the company in their thirty year history. Low Art Tile is revered today as one of a half dozen companies to pioneer the development of decorative tiles in the United States. The factory specialized in high relief tiles for walls and fireplaces and established a reputation for innovation in design which is clearly reflected in the pages which follow. EB; 8vo 8" - 9" tall .