In 1949 the sinologist Robert van Gulik (also known now for his Judge Dee mysteries) purchased in a Tokyo curio-shop a set of printing blocks of a Ming Erotic Album. Two years later the album, with an extensive treatise, was published by Van Gulik himself in a 50 copies print run, sent to a small group of Sinological libraries, as "the erotic prints and other data ought not to fall into the hands of unqualified readers". It was to be the author's first work on the subject, preceding his 'groundbreaking' Sexual Life in Ancient China (new edition, Brill, 2002). Unqualified readers have now at last become qualified with this official edition. James Cahill, Wilt Idema and Soeren Edgren provide readers with indispensable introductions to its art historical, literary, biographical, and book technical context. All volumes of the print edition will become available in individual e-books: 9789004531604 (volume 1) - 9789004531611 (volume 2).
In 1897, Edith Wharton and architect Ogden Codman, Jr., collaborated on The Decoration of Houses, a groundbreaking book on the art of interior design. Now Alexandra Stoddard gives us her own version of decorating houses for today's world, making the wisdom and expertise from her thirty-six years of interior design experience accessible to all individuals, regardless of their budget or the size of their home. While adhering to the classical principles espoused by Wharton and Codman, Alexandra Stoddard shows us how to see our homes as professional designers do: as an expression of our own personalities. She teaches us how to think about space, scale and proportion, color, light, and texture as she advises us on the different elements of a roomthe floor, furniture, lighting, fabric, art, and more. She captures the essence of interior design by attuning us to our own sense of beauty, giving us the confidence to create the home of our dreams. Alexandra Stoddard's decorating clients range from notable individuals to young people starting out. She's designed the interiors of mansions and embassies as well as cottages and one-room studios.