(Book). These beautiful instruments have long been a favorite with musicians. This book is a history; source book and owners manual for players and fans which covers the facts and figures necessary for serious collectors. In addition to many black and white historical photos; there is also a color section highlighting models. The book covers the companys full history; specific styles and models of all instruments; Hawaiian; blues; and jazz artists who have used Nationals; a history of their advertising; set-up and maintenance; and much more. Appendixes include serial numbers for all instruments; a company chronology and a Hawaiian Artist Discography.
#1901210 in eBooks 1998-10-01 1998-10-01File Name: B00GQZPJRW
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Shards of historyBy Elena DanielsonIf you share de Waals obsession with porcelain; you will be fascinated. I do; I am. Plain pottery is perfectly serviceable; you can drink your tea out of it just fine. The plates hold dinner just fine. So why this centuries-long pursuit of a plate you can hold up to the light and see the shadow of your hand through it; that you can tap smartly with a pencil and it rings like a crystal bell...Some of the stories are well known; like the mad scientist and the wacky apothecary assistant virtually imprisoned for years in Dresden until they could duplicate the purity of Chinese porcelain. De Waal goes through the meticulous German archives recording all the minutia surrounding this discovery. Meissen still commands astronomical prices. While planning exhibitions of his own work; and finishing his "Hare with Amber Eyes" surprise best seller; he revisits the Chinese clay works with mountains of discarded shards. The British side of the story is full of bankruptcy and broken dreams. The fate of fine china under Nazis and Communists is well known; though still ludicrous beyond belief. One omission: I wish he had included something on Royal Copenhagen; maybe too pure...no prisons; no bankruptcy. But the story I found most compelling was the native American story of the Cherokee potters; who found a vein of fine white clay and made beautiful pots (before being evicted). Im American; why didnt I know?0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The meaning of White RoadBy Creative SpiritI know his smooth; poetic style of writing. As a potter I am; White Road is really a treasure to me. He took roads to the origin of Porcelain ; China. He talks so fluently how the original Kaolin and bone in China was meshed and made to so white or so blue; green surfaced pots; and dragon and peony flowers in color drawing. Silkroad spread this clay to Europe. He is British and his simple porcelain cups installed in galleries. I was so mesmerized. The word Porcelain came from Italy. Wow! This is a documentary book; and esp. ceramicists can not miss this.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Poetic; Artistic and FascinatingBy Jam-iGlorious; insight filled and poetic; Edmund De Waal has constructed a fascinating; beautifully written look at the history of porcelain; and in doing so shares his artistic soul/vision. It is a book to be savored. Art history and a look at the artistic soul combined. Excellent!
