• THE AMERICAN COLORIST Faber Birren ©1939 1948 SHADES OF RED
  • THE AMERICAN COLORIST Faber Birren ©1939 1948 COPYRIGHT PAGE
  • THE AMERICAN COLORIST Faber Birren ©1939 1948 BACK
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Prang Company Publishers

The American Colorist — Faber Birren — Prang Co. — 2nd Edition (1948)

The American Colorist — Faber Birren — Prang Co. — 2nd Edition (1948)

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AT A GLANCE

Title:
The American Colorist
Publisher:
Prang Company
Subject:
Color theory | color harmony | design
Author:
Faber Birren
Era:
Early 20th Century (1900 - 1945)
Date:
1948 Second edition | 1939 copyright
Dimensions:
5 ½” x 8 ½”
Condition:
Very Good (VG)
Color:
Includes color examples
Ephemera:
Educational ephemera
Cover:
Paperback booklet
Pages:
20
OCLC:
29823012
Book genre:
Art Education

1948 Concise, Authoritative Introduction to American Color Theory from One of the Field's Most Influential Voices, Faber Birren.

Collector’s Note

Second‑edition copies of The American Colorist are desirable for their direct connection to Faber Birren’s early, practical color‑theory work and for their association with Prang, one of America’s most influential art‑education publishers.

Offered here is a 1948 second‑edition paperback of The American Colorist by Faber Birren, published by Prang Company, long known for its leadership in American art‑instruction materials. Originally copyrighted in 1939, this later 1948 edition reflects Birren’s early, formative work in practical color theory.

This compact 20‑page (unpaged) booklet distills Birren’s foundational ideas on color harmony, color identification, and the psychological effects of hue—concepts that would shape mid‑century design, advertising, and industrial color standards.

The 5 ½” x 8 ½” booklet features its original pink‑and‑black cover design and includes several color illustrations demonstrating Birren’s principles. Condition is very good for its age: pages are clean with only minor age‑toning and light paper staining, and the back cover bears a neatly written name. Binding remains sound, and the booklet presents beautifully.

Artist Biography

Faber Birren (1900–1988) became one of the most prolific writers on color psychology and industrial color application. His work influenced everything from wartime visibility studies to corporate branding. Prang’s decision to publish The American Colorist reflects the era’s growing interest in standardized color education and the practical application of color science in schools, studios, and industry.

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