Karen Greene, a clinical psychologist, lifelong photographer, and lover of Art Deco architecture and design, lives in New York City. Lynne Lavelle is Editor of Period Homes magazine and a freelance writer.
[A] wonderful survey of the iconic mailboxes installed in American buildings in early 20th century. Seeing just one still extant in a building today is a treat, but viewing them all together gives a sense of the range of styles and how they reflected, in detail, the architectural prowess of the skyscrapers within which they were situated. -- Untapped Cities For those who have admired the design of mailboxes in buildings around the world, the book sets them in the context of technology, government regulations regarding post, the link between an interior aspect and the overall design of a building, materials, and symbolism. . . . What fun Karen Greene must have had tracking them down across the country and then convincing building owners and doormen to allow her to photograph them! . . . A book such as this illustrates the importance of researching and recording 'ordinary' items that form such an important part of the history of our cities. -- Spirit of Progress, Journal of Art Deco and Modernism Society Inc. [A] fine-looking small volume that shows one box after another with polished brass and intricate casting. . . . The gallery of photos here is a showcase for Deco design, and is a delightful documentation of a form of corporate folk art that blossomed and is now no more. -- The Dispatch [A] recommendation for any interested in folk art and art deco history. . . . [A] lovely book that will especially appeal to architects, designers, and artists alike. -- Midwest Book Review