William L. Price, Arts and Crafts to Modern Design
Regrettably, Philadelphian Price has largely eluded the attention of critics and historians. Thomas, who developed this book from a dissertation, ably corrects the oversight. Early in Price's career, country houses were the greater part of his work. After 1900, however, he designed a broader range of building types, such as hotels and buildings for industry and commerce. Because he integrated steel and reinforced concrete into his designs and used American and European arts-and-crafts sources, Price is considered a noteworthy protomodernist. In four rather inscrutably titled chapters, the author delineates Price's career and argues as well for Philadelphia's place in the history of innovative American architecture. The following catalog and chronology of his work contain ample descriptions, detailed historical data, and excellent illustrations. A fine addition to larger architecture collections.DPaul Glassman, New York Sch. of Interior DesignCopyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.