Description Frank Lloyd Wright Typed Manuscript / Foreword Draft – Signed Taliesin West, December 24, 1953 An exceptional and highly important piece of mid-century design history-an original typed manuscript draft authored and signed by Frank Lloyd Wright, prepared in support of designer T. Robsjohn-Gibbings and his publication Homes of the Brave. This is not a simple letter, but a working manuscript/foreword-style text, offering Wright’s intellectual and critical perspective on Robsjohn-Gibbings’ work at a pivotal moment in American design. Manuscript Content (excerpted) The typed text-clearly composed by Wright-includes: “Robsjohn Gibbings’ pen and Mary Petty’s pencil marry well and settle down happily together in’Homes of the Brave’. ” “. The Robsjohn Gibbings’ humor restores human scale to the American scene. ” “. The sterile cliché that organized publicity has made of’modernity’ becomes manifest. ” “. Under the guise of humor’Homes of the Brave’ gets inside and brings home the truth about modern fakery. ” The manuscript continues across two pages, concluding with: “Frank Lloyd Wright Taliesin West December 24th, 1953″ Signed in ink by Wright. Historical Context & Book Connection This manuscript directly corresponds to Robsjohn-Gibbings’ book Homes of the Brave (published mid-1950s), a sharp and often humorous critique of American domestic architecture and design culture. Wright’s text reads as a foreword or promotional essay, endorsing the book while simultaneously reinforcing his own long-standing critique of superficial “modernity” in American building practices. Notably, Wright praises. The collaboration between Robsjohn-Gibbings (text) and Mary Petty (illustrations). The book’s critique of “modern fakery”. Its restoration of human scale and honesty in design This places the document squarely within the intellectual discourse of the era-where leading figures like Wright and Robsjohn-Gibbings were actively shaping the narrative around what “modern” should truly mean. Unique Features. Typed by Frank Lloyd Wright (not dictated correspondence). Handwritten ink signature at conclusion. Additional handwritten note at top margin, likely in Wright’s hand, referencing Robsjohn directly. Multi-page manuscript format-indicative of a draft or submission copy rather than casual correspondence? Provenance From the estate of a prominent Scottsdale, Arizona collector, with a focused collection of architectural and design material. Strong regional significance-created at Taliesin West and preserved within the same geographic context for decades.
