The Value of Things

by Neil Cummings, Marysia Lewandowska

Jointly published with August Media, London, UK

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Laura Auricchio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific little book, somewhere between an "artist's book" and a history of the British Museum. Examining the rise of the British Museum in the 19th century and the founding of Selfridge's department store in the same period, the book looks at museums and department stores as two sides one coin. The histories, functions, and systems of display of these two seemingly unrelated institutions are shown, through thought-provoking images and texts, to be entwined in fascinating ways.

[Marija · Rating 5 out of 5]

The format of this book is wonderful and, as another reviewer stated, nicely parallels what the book sets out to say. That is, there's a balance between fact and historical development of the store and the museum, as well as text that speculates into what this MEANS to someone living in the modern world. For example, a few pages discuss why and how shopping has been feminized and consequently, for the most part, regarded as frivolous. The use of credit in lieu of cash is considered, as is the role of duplicates/recreations in the desire for authenticity.

For me, the history of how museums organize their collections was fascinating and shed light on an organizational paradigm that thoroughly colors how we perceive objects (oldest = simplest, newest = best and most complex. History is the evolution of objects. The book does not necessarily take this position but outlines how this happened very nicely). The Value of Things is a fascinating look into a world that we're thoroughly entrenched in, but often do not consider beyond the surface.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book. Following the history and the department store would have been enough for me, but the design of the book nicely reflects the parallels found in the histories presented.