About this Item
A handsome First U.S. Printing of one of the finest early monographs devoted to pioneering modernist architect Richard Neutra (1892-1970), issued shortly after his death as part of Simon & Schuster's acclaimed Library of Contemporary Architects series. The volume combines Rupert Spade's critical introduction with 86 photographs by celebrated Japanese architectural photographer Yukio Futagawa, including striking black-and-white and color plates, architectural drawings, floor plans, chronologies, and bibliography. Originally published in Japan in 1969, this English-language edition contains newly prepared text and was printed in Japan to an exceptionally high production standard. The copyright page states "First U.S. printing."
The book documents many of Neutra's most significant residential commissions - including the Lovell Health House, Kaufmann House, Tremaine House, Nesbitt House, Moore House, Singleton House, Brown House, and VDL Research House - through Futagawa's meticulous photography, which has become highly regarded in architectural publishing. This volume remains an important reference for collectors of Modernism, California architecture, and twentieth-century design. The dust jacket was designed by J+M Condon, an understated but elegant modernist design complementing Futagawa's cover photograph.
Condition: Near Fine book / Near Fine dust jacket. Black cloth boards remain exceptionally clean with bright silver spine and front-cover lettering. Binding is tight and square. Interior is clean with no ownership marks, writing, or highlighting observed. Dust jacket is unclipped, showing light age toning, a few shallow edge creases and small closed wrinkles along the upper edge, with minor rubbing and gentle shelf wear. Overall an attractive, well-preserved copy.
While Richard Neutra is the book's subject, Yukio Futagawa (1932-2013) deserves equal attention from collectors. One of the twentieth century's foremost architectural photographers, Futagawa's work for Global Architecture (GA) and related publications helped shape how generations of architects studied modern buildings. His precise compositions and mastery of natural light transformed architectural monographs from documentary records into works of visual art. The Library of Contemporary Architects series, produced in collaboration with Futagawa, remains one of the most influential architectural publishing projects of the early 1970s.
Seller Inventory # NF.SPA.1971.1
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