Thoroughly Moderne Henry Colbert

I fell in love with Henry Colbert's work when I first laid eyes on his Art Deco house in Jean Nisbett's book The Modern Dolls' House (2004). Years later, here I am staring at these gorgeous works of art and reading a brilliant article on his work (THANKS AGAIN Writing Sideways!) I scanned the color copies of the article from Dollhouse Miniatures magazine and you can download the article in its entirety here (thanks DudeCraft, I borrowed your idea to use MediaFire to share this file). I am sure this is copyright infringement, but I couldn't buy the Sept 07 issue anywhere, so we'll see how long I can keep it up. The image quality is the best I could get scanning the color copies of the magazine, but still quite droll worthy. Click on images to see the larger version. Enjoy!

House in Poole, Dorset — The Amyas Petite

Henry grew up in "Barnet, Hertfordshire, just north of London, his world was a wealth of modern inspirations: the architecture of his local cinema; Arnos Grove, the nearby underground station; the Penguin Pool at the London Zoo; a Sun Trap House he passed on the way to school; and a Clarice Cliff vase from EW. Woolworth sitting on his mantel. Nearly 70 years later, many of these landmarks Henry remembers still look fresh and modern."

House in Hendon, London — The Amyas Deluxe

In 1997, ill health forced Henry into early retirement and he began to search for a hobby that could combine his skills and background in architecture, engineering, computers and a home workshop to die for. "Having attended some local miniature shows, Henry realized no one was making modern-era dollhouses. With interest piqued, he attended an evening class on 20th century architecture, bought a camera, and set out to photograph every Art Deco house he could find within a 150-mile radius of his home. Two houses stood out from the rest: a small house in Poole, Dorset, and a larger house with interesting features in Hendon, London."

The Amyas Grande

"Since the style of his dollhouses would be unique, and no parts readily available in miniature shops, apart from the hardware, Henry had to design and build every component himself. For the next 18 months he experimented by trial and error, producing the necessary jigs and fixtures to build his first models. He uses computer-aided-design (CAD) software to design each module; walls, ceilings, and floors are constructed from top-quality birch plywood with lime-wood trim. His dollhouse designs leave no room for error; the minimalist style dictates that mistakes cannot be covered up with paint, paper, or fancy trim."

The Amyas Grande Deluxe

"With key components designed and prototyped, he was now ready to launch three models that would incorporate certain key design elements. Designated the Amyas series in honor of New Zealand native Amyas Connell (1901-1980), who studied architecture in England in the 1920s and designed High & Over, one of the first International Style houses in England. Along with architect Basil Ward, they later designed their Sun House for a proposed Moderne community to complement High & Over. When war intervened, the project ended with only four houses constructed. The Amyas Petite, inspired by the Poole house, has Crittall (steel) windows, a flat roof and sun terrace, a portholed front door, and a conventional staircase."

"The Amyas Deluxe, a combination of the Poole and London homes, is a medium-sized dollhouse with the same features of the Petite, plus a flat-roofed wing, railed porch, imposing entrance doors, portholes, decorative chevrons on the bay wall, a spiral staircase, and wood-strip floors. His Amyas Grande contains all these features plus symmetrical front bays on either side of the central hall. Later Henry added an Amyas Petite Deluxe. Each house is one room deep, to make them, as Henry says, 'playable.'"

Sun House

"Henry has also reproduced a Sun House in 1:24 scale, using original house plans and photographs to ensure authenticity. The finished product is mounted on a turntable with hinged panels to access all the rooms; the house is fully electrified and has been fitted with a bathroom and kitchen."

 

"As demands for dollhouse accessories has grown, Henry has also designed period lighting, fireplaces, bathroom fixtures, and even a swimming pool illuminated with blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that shine beneath the resin to create an underwater glow. The pool steps are nickel-coated brass cast into the resin to create an underwater step. The pool deck is tiled with products from Richard Stacey. The end result is impressive and will delight anyone desiring a swimming pool for their dollhouse."

"With his meticulous attention to detail, Henry typically makes two dollhouses a year. His dollhouses have found homes throughout England and Scotland, with one currently under way for a customer in Wales. As interest in Art Deco has grown in the U.S., and accessories are becoming more available, hopes are that one of his houses will find a home outside the U.K." As of the writing of this article three years ago, Henry is stiff with arthritis, and is booked with orders for the next 18 months. I've read elsewhere that the wait list is over 2 years now. By my calculations there should be at least 15-20 of Henry's dollhouses in existence. I wish the owners would share some photos of these treasures.

The article continues with the topic of the future of dollhouses and miniatures artisans and the replacement of small miniature/hobby/toy shops with the big-box craft stores. It's a great read, but a much longer conversation that I'll save for later.

I have an email in to Henry and I will post his response if the email still works.

Here are pictures of the four constructed houses by Amyas Connell and Basil Ward. Sun House 2 & Sun House 1, Sun House 3 and High & Over.


(Henry Colbert images from article "Thoroughly Moderne Henry Colbert" by Deb Weissler published in Dollhouse Miniatures Sept 07 issue, top High & Over and Sun House pictures from flickr page of Metro-land revisited and bottom High & Over image from achome.co.uk)

Thank you Writing Sideways

Back in November I asked if anyone had the September 2007 issue of Dollhouse Miniatures with the article on Henry Colbert. Lo and behold, Writing Sideways of everyminithing.blogspot.com said she would be willing to scan and send me a copy. I was expecting a few photos but was extremely surprised to see a 6 page spread with gorgeous color photos, detailed article and Henry's email!!! I will post images and details tomorrow, but wanted to send a HUGE THANK YOU Writing Sideways. It truly made my year!
I'll try not to drool on it too much before scanning all of the pages and posting photos tomorrow.

Ocean Liner House

Huh. I was trying to find images from some British dollhouse shows and randomly came across a photo of Henry Colbert's Art Deco dolls house, with a caption on it "Ocean Liner House by Henry Colbert". I hadn't seen that name associated with that house, but I kinda like it.

Now I'm really curious if Henry Colbert was in attendance at the Nov 09 show, just his work, or why his 1997 dollhouse is featured (he's not listed as an exhibitor). If anyone is in London May 14-16, 2010 the next Kensington Dollshouse Festival will be then.

Could this be Henry Colbert? This photo was taken at one of the Birmingham Miniatura shows this year. The Art Deco house looks like 1/24 scale and is similar to Henry's other work. I found the photo on a Japanese blog, but other than "Modern house" I can't make out much else from the translation. I'm assuming this guy is the builder, otherwise I'd kick his @$$ for leaning on the dollhouse.

(Top image from The Kensington Dollshouse Festival website. Bottom image from I love it! Japanese blog )

London Dolls House Co.

Before the London Dolls House Company went out of business (no web archives after 2003) they were selling Henry Colbert's Art Deco dollhouse and some nice modern furniture.

"Art Decor House For the collector taking the modern approach, we have a range of modern furniture and accessories. Including our Art Deco house featured here. Based on the 1930's style houses this stunning five-room beautifully detailed house is available for £1995."

I would have loved to have purchased some of their modern furniture, especially that bath tub. If only I started collecting years ago.

"Modern Range, prices available on request
We are keen to promote modern furniture and have a fabulous collection for the modern house including a wide selection of kitchens and bathrooms. We also stock 1940's furniture."


(images from web archives of The London Dolls House Co.)

Henry Colbert's Art Deco Dolls House

In my search for Henry Colbert I found a great blog entry by Linda Gavin on My Imaginary World with pictures from the Dolls House Discovery website that is no longer running, but I found the below information on web archives: http://www.dollshousediscovery.com/craftsmen/henrycolbert.asp.

Linda says he makes a few houses a year and has a waiting list. Pamela Hurley posted that she got a Henry Colbert dollhouse in Sept 2008, after a 2 year wait. Pamela - where are the pictures? PLEASE!!!!

Henry Colbert's Art Deco Dolls House: Where It All Began

In 1997 I was seeking a hobby that would satisfy my architectural, engineering and computing skills/interests and contribute to increasing my home workshop and computer facilities.

After visiting various ‘Doll’s house’ fairs I concluded that I should concentrate on this market – but what product! Whatever it was to be, nobody else should be making it. Following research and a day at the Hove fair resolved the problem – there were not any makers of 1930’s ‘Art Deco’ houses.

Accordingly, I attended an evening study course on ‘Twentieth Century Architecture’, took a camera and photographed every 1930’s ‘Art Deco’ / Moderne house that I could find within a 250km radius of where I live.

As this style of doll’s house would be unique, apart from the hinges and screws, every component would have to be designed and made by me.

A basic design was established from which it was apparent that the house(s) would have to have curved bay(s) and all the windows and doors would have to be modelled on the designs produced by ‘Crittall’ in England during the 1930’s. The house had to be instantly recognisable as the house every body knew in their childhood.

A major challenge with the house style that I had chosen was the plain simple features, free from architectural mouldings and trim that could cover up any defects and mistakes.

The next year was spent developing techniques and special equipment to engrave and where appropriate bend Acrylic for the window panels. Preform the plywood for the curved bay sections and then manufacture jigs and fixtures for the assembly of the windows / doors together with their associated frames that were assembled from special sections of wood produced by me.

The spiral stairs were another challenge, (shown left.) A wooden pattern had to be made, and then a silicon rubber mould produced so that the basic staircase could be cast in synthetic stone.

The houses are principally constructed from 9.5mm and 12mm plywood, with simulated wood strip floors created with wood veneer.

Currently two basic designs are available; however, to date no two houses have ever been the same as every customer has required a high degree of customisation some with extensions and garages. These may be basic shell for them to finish or fully finished complete with lighting and decoration.

Customers complained that they were unable to purchase bathroom equipment in the 1930’s style, – Accordingly, I designed a product range, produced prototype models and developed a manufacturing technique. I now supply a full range to include: Low flush toilets, hand wash basin, bath, bidet & shower unit in a selection of colours.

The range also includes a towel rail, an illuminated wall mirror with shelf and ‘Art Deco’ wall lights.

My portfolio also includes a twenty forth scale replica ‘Sun House’ house based on the ‘Le Corbusier’ concept, (shown below) Five of these houses were built in Amersham at High & Over Park by Connell & Ward, in 1934 (all still existing).


(images from archives of Dolls House Discovery website and The Modern Dolls' House by Jean Nisbett (2004))

Dollhouse Miniatures magazine Sept 07 Issue?

Does anyone have the September 2007 issue of Dollhouse Miniatures? I've been trying to find the magazine for about a year and I haven't seen it on ebay yet. I'd be happy to pay for a scan of the article on Henry Colbert:

38 Thoroughly Moderne Henry Colbert
By Deb Weissler
Art Deco, Jazz Modern or Streamline Moderne, his houses shine.

Henry Colbert built the Art Deco House on the cover of The Modern Dolls' House by Jean Nisbett (2004), but since starting this blog, I've yet to track him down online. I would love to see the pictures in the article and find out how to get in touch with him to see his latest work.