Want Books? is a weekly meme hosted at Chachic’s Book Nook and features released books that you want but you can’t have for some reason. It can be because it’s not available in your country, in your library or you don’t have the money for it right now.
Ever since I started featuring book art on my blog I’ve been interested in learning more about the history of book cover design. I spent some time searching on Amazon the other day and came across The Art of American Book Covers, a book I’d love to take a look at, if not own:
Isn’t the book itself just gorgeous? I’m sure there’s more where that came from on the inside. Here’s a real looker from the featured image set:
If I ever get around to making a book clutch I hope to find an antique book of this quality. Of course then I may not be able to rip out the pages to make the clutch. 
Another book I wantwantwant is the second edition of The Book As Art which is coming out on August 1 (sorry for the size – it was the only image I could find):
These are both a bit pricy as coffee table books with high quality images usually are so I don’t think I’ll be buying either of them anytime soon. I may see if I can get both via interlibrary loan. Then I can find out if either of them are worth owning and save up. Of course I forgot to put them on the wishlist for my birthday which was just a few days ago. There’s always Christmas, right? I did get some bookish gifts I received that I will be posting about later so watch for that. 
Any expensive, unattainable books that you have your eye on?
I think I want the second book as well! Both are pretty but they’re also pretty expensive.
They really are the kind of books that you put on your wishlist so people can give them to you as gifts.
Pretty and pretty expensive is right! I’m glad you want The Book As Art too.
Oooo pretty! It’s so strange to think how far we’ve moved from those beautiful but labour intensive covers to the constantly re-used photos we have now. And even further considering I’m buying a kindle for my birthday this week and those e-books don’t usually have cover images and if they do it’s in black and white!
It’s true. The history of book cover design reflects the overall move of our culture from labor intensive, custom and handmade to mass produced objects. Ooh, a Kindle? Congratulations. Summer birthdays are the best. I do miss the cover when I read a Kindle book. Makes me want a Nook color.
I can’t have a Nook in the UK cos B&N have these sucky international restrictions! But they’re so pretty *sigh*
Awesome picks, Holly. I love those types of books that you can just pore over for ages and still pick up interesting things each time. I have a feeling both of your picks are just that type of book.
I think it would be even more interesting if they did an analysis of older book covers versus newer ones. There’s a disheartening trend towards reusing stock photos for tons of covers. In some cases, when there are tons of elements, I don’t mind. (e.g. The Parasol Protectorate covers) But when there is just ONE focal point (usual some teenage girl in a long flowy dress:)), it is disturbing if it is repeatedly the same girl.
Anyway, my point is that I doubt that phenomenon occurred before 1930;-)
I have and have read the book The Art of American Book Covers and if you have even the slightest interest in this, you must get it. It features the major artists of the time and gives a great discussion of the influences and styles. It made me realize how terribly creative the artists were in terms of the constraints they had to work with: how many colors of ink, perspective, and cloth colors and texture as part of the artwork. Also many of the most successful artist were women. Some of the covers were actually early prototypes for later art movements.