The Art Work of Louis C. Tiffany

American, circa 1914
Height: 12 1/2 inches (32 cm)
Width: 10 inches (25 cm)

In 1913, on the verge of his retirement, Louis Comfort Tiffany asked art historian and New York Times art critic Charles de Kay to collaborate on the production of the first biography of Tiffany. The volume was underwritten by Louis C. Tiffany and was privately published in 1914 by Doubleday Page and Company in New York.

The volume features a gold embossed decorative papîer-maché binding designed by Tiffany, and contains 21 tipped-in color plates and 42 photogravures of a selection of what Tiffany and de Kay saw to be his important works.

A limited run of 492 copies printed on Japan paper were produced, in addition to ten specially bound copies printed on parchment, for private distribution.

This copy was given as a gift by Louis C. Tiffany to Robert de Forest, a friend and colleague (and brother of his frequent collaborator, Lockwood de Forest), and his wife Emily. Robert de Forest was a prominent New York businessman and philanthropist, eventually becoming the President of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He was a champion of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s work.

The volume is inscribed on the interior: “To Mr and Mrs Rob. W. de Forest-/ Dear Rob & Emily/ I send you my book/ with much love & many thanks/ Louis C. Tiffany”

American, circa 1914
Height: 12 1/2 inches (32 cm)
Width: 10 inches (25 cm)

In 1913, on the verge of his retirement, Louis Comfort Tiffany asked art historian and New York Times art critic Charles de Kay to collaborate on the production of the first biography of Tiffany. The volume was underwritten by Louis C. Tiffany and was privately published in 1914 by Doubleday Page and Company in New York.

The volume features a gold embossed decorative papîer-maché binding designed by Tiffany, and contains 21 tipped-in color plates and 42 photogravures of a selection of what Tiffany and de Kay saw to be his important works.

A limited run of 492 copies printed on Japan paper were produced, in addition to ten specially bound copies printed on parchment, for private distribution.

This copy was given as a gift by Louis C. Tiffany to Robert de Forest, a friend and colleague (and brother of his frequent collaborator, Lockwood de Forest), and his wife Emily. Robert de Forest was a prominent New York businessman and philanthropist, eventually becoming the President of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He was a champion of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s work.

The volume is inscribed on the interior: “To Mr and Mrs Rob. W. de Forest-/ Dear Rob & Emily/ I send you my book/ with much love & many thanks/ Louis C. Tiffany”