This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1894 edition. Excerpt: ... The comprehensive designer, as long as we have an industrial system, based upon individualistic production instead of the craft guild, and conducted with minute subdivision of labour, is, and must be, at a premium. He is the only person who, in the province of industrial art, can, in any big way, create and originate. On the other hand, I affirm that design must be cheapened if it is to enter fully into modern Industry. I can imagine the employer of labour, my respected friend, the member for South West Kensington for instance, as he reads this, bowing to himself, and saying deferentially: "That's exactly what I've always said. We cannot place Rate of artistic work on the market if we have to pay so much for payment design. The public won't take it." "trade" But Pushington and I always have little differences designer on these matters, and his view of cheapening varies from See page 27. mine. His view of cheapening is illustrated by the following case in my own experience. Mr. Pushington is not in the silversmiths' line, so he will not mind my telling it. I was asked, some years ago, to purchase for a friend a silver salver, and as I had not, at that time, started the making of silver things at my own workshops, I was advised to go to the leading silversmiths' in the City. I went, and stated that I had 20 to spend, and might I see some salvers. Dish after dish was brought out, each worse than the first, utter degradation; all that one could say of them was that they were shiny. In despair I said: "Well, I'm afraid the design of these is all so bad; would it be possible to have one, --just a plain square, with no design on at all! just a simple sheet of silver, with the ends turned up?" "Oh yes, ...