This set was scheduled for a limited edition printing of 1000 copies by The Gruber Foundation, 1969. However, since William B. Gruber – who financed this project – died before it was completed, only 300 sets were published. So, this is one of those 300 editions.
The four linen-covered hardback volumes, four durable slipcases and 180 original View-Master reels are in pristine condition.
Volume 1: Circa 2500 BC – 206 BC. Ceramics, bronzes, gold, jades, stone, bone/ivory/glass and lacquer from the Neolithic, Shang Dynasty, Western Chou, Eastern Chou and Warring States period. The 11 page introduction provides a great orientation.
Volume 2: Circa 206 BC – 906 AD. Ceramics, bronzes, stone, gold/silver, jades, glass, lacquer and wood/shell/textiles from the Han Dynasty, Three Kingdoms, The Six Dynasties (South and North), and both the Sui and Tang Dynasties.
Volume 3: Circa 907 AD – 1368 AD. Ceramics, Metalwork, Jade, Lacquer, Textiles from the Five Dynasties, Northern/Southern Sung, and Yuan Dynasty. This was an interesting time as the Chin Dynasty fell to the Mongol invasion in 1234.
Volume 4: Circa 1368 AD – 1916 AD. Ceramics, Famille verte, Famille rose, jade/hardstone, lacquer, ivory, wood, horn, metalwork, glass and textiles from the Ming and Ch’ing Dynasties.
Each volume contains an excellent introduction and a thorough bibliography.
In 1939, the View-Master stereoscopic format was introduced at the New York Worlds Fair. William Gruber joined the Gruber/Sawyer organization in 1942 and – along with Rupert Leach – photographed all the 1200+ items in this set of 180 reels.
Sir Harry Garner – a British aerodynamicist and expert on (and collector of) oriental ceramics – and Margaret Medley authored this set.
I will include a used projector, a Sawyer stereo viewfinder and a LIGHTED Stereo Viewer (with instructions, original box)
For the Serious Collector. A MUST-HAVE for Chinese art collectors.
This item has SOLD. Many Thanks H.T. !