R.M. Schindler: Text by James Steele. Edited by Peter Gossel. New Photography by Joachim Schumacher (ISBN: 3822871885 / 3-8228-7188-5)

Koln, Germany: Taschen, 1999. First Edition. From the library of the great film director Billy Wilder. Laid in is a lovely 8 x 10 inch black & white photograph of Billy Wilder signed and inscribed by the photographer / publisher Benedikt Taschen: “To Billy Wilder, In admiration, Benedikt, April 99.” The photograph was taken by Benedikt Taschen and shows Billy Wilder, sitting at an outdoor table looking at this Taschen book. Fine copy in a fine fresh dust jacket. A comprehensive volume offering insight into the rich and diverse architectural career of R.M. Schindler, best known for works built in or near Los Angeles during the early to mid-twentieth century, characterized in part by their economy of budget without compromising design integrity. Some of his most famous projects include the Lovell Beach House in Newport Beach, California, the Wolfe House in Avalon, Catalina Island, California (now demolished), the Mackey Apartments in Los Angeles, California, and the Kings Road House in Los Angeles, California. Illustrated throughout with color and black & white photographs, many published here for the first time. Billy Wilder’s legendary status in Hollywood as a director, screenwriter, and producer includes such classic films as Ninotchka, Sunset Boulevard, Double Indemnity, The Lost Weekend, Stalag 17, Some Like it Hot, The Seven Year Itch, The Apartment, and The Fortune Cookie.