Academy Editions, London, 1993.  ISBN 1-85490-187-7.  Folio soft cover, 144 pages including Bibliography and Index.  Good; wraps show edge and cover wear, some rubs and impressions, wear at corners and spine ends; reading creases.  Binding sound; remainder mark on bottom edge plus a bit of soil.  Price sticker on inner flap fold; interior clean and unmarked; colour and black & white illustrations/photos throughout.  ‘The first modern product designer, Christopher Dresser (1834-1904) was a man of his times, among those champions of progress whom Ruskin dubbed “the steam-whistle party”.  A botanist of considerable standing, Dresser that that the new discoveries of science provided inspiration for the designer.  Continual demand for novelty was met by his inventive transcription of natural forms, from both plant and animal life. … Oriental, Egyptian, African, Pre-Columbian and Peruvian influences can all be found in his work, but their forms were used in a diffused and never purely imitative manner.  With his understanding of manufacturing, Dresser knew that mass production called for a new approach to design.  He saw strong design, which joined beauty and utility, as essential if British manufacturers were to remain ahead of competitors.’ (from front flap)