This unusual, visually appealing, color-illustrated book is designed like a book of wallpaper samples; wallpaper sample pages are the full size of the book, while text pages are long and
narrow. The book presents color reproductions of 275 wallpaper patterns of the British Victorian era that all contained dangerous levels of arsenic, which sickened people for decades before the
cause was found. This book gives background on the industrial uses of arsenic in pigments, paints, and dyes, clothing, and even candy, then describes the wallpaper manufacturing process and
dangers to workers. The book then gives details on the origins, designers, and design influences of the wallpapers later identified as containing arsenic, surveying the wallpaper design
industry from late 18th through 19th century. The public debate about arsenic in consumer goods is examined, and details are given on legislation and the rise of arsenic-free wallpaper. In
addition to the wallpaper samples, the text pages are amply illustrated with historical color and b&w photos and illustrations from book jackets, posters, advertisements, newspapers,
magazines, and playbills. Author Lucinda Hawksley is a radio and TV broadcaster and an art and social historian focusing on the Victorian era. Annotation ©2016 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR
(protoview.com)
