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Rube Goldberg vs. the Machine Age
Rube Goldberg vs. The Machine Age. First Edition. New Hasting House, 1968. Square-ish quarto, illustrated jacket, brown cloth boards with gilt imprinting on front cover and spine, 233 pp. (IX + 214). Illustrated by Rube Goldberg. Near Fine book (with only a previous owners small name plate on front pastedown, else Fine) in a Very Good jacket, with cover scuffing primarily on front cover and one 1/4" open tear at front cover as well; spine sunning. See scans. First Edition of a 1968 retro look at the imaginatively droll Goldberg and his unique style, Abounds in samples, as panels, ads, and singles. Scarce. Ships in stout protection, of course. L11
214 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 1968
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November 4, 2018
A fun collection of essays by Rube Goldberg reflecting on his own life, including how he started as a cartoonist, how he responded to changing audience preferences, and of course plenty on his "Inventions Drawings."
That said, reading this book in conjunction with other writings such as Matthew Axtell's "Garbage Can Music" suggests it's less Rube reflecting on his own life and success and more him trying to control his own legacy and public image. If this is true, it's certainly effective: this book has a wonderfully light tone throughout, celebrating the zany and whimsical. Little is discussed about Rube's angry and pessimistic view of technology, his focus on the fatality of automobiles, or the hopeless Republican view he took in his political cartoons.
So if you're doing any kind of serious or academic study of Rube, take this whole volume with a huge block of salt. But if you just want a fun and casual look at "the man behind the machines," then this volume is great for that.
That said, reading this book in conjunction with other writings such as Matthew Axtell's "Garbage Can Music" suggests it's less Rube reflecting on his own life and success and more him trying to control his own legacy and public image. If this is true, it's certainly effective: this book has a wonderfully light tone throughout, celebrating the zany and whimsical. Little is discussed about Rube's angry and pessimistic view of technology, his focus on the fatality of automobiles, or the hopeless Republican view he took in his political cartoons.
So if you're doing any kind of serious or academic study of Rube, take this whole volume with a huge block of salt. But if you just want a fun and casual look at "the man behind the machines," then this volume is great for that.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review