Rare and Out-of-Print Books on Design with a modernist bent and an eye for the unusual.

Optos Books specializes in books on the history of modern design and the decorative arts. Our focus is on the visual, exploring the roots of modernism in architecture, industrial design, interior design, photography, graphic design (typography, book arts & printing), illustration and modern fine art (with emphasis on the period from Late Victorian to the mid-20th C). In addition, we offer books on New York City (specifically ones strongly visual in format); illustrated humor (concentrating on illustrators who contributed to the New Yorker Magazine); and a category dubbed Odds & Sods (usually smaller "quaint" books that make great gifts - whimsical books chosen based on their amusing titles, subjects and illustrations). As well as our books on design, we list related ephemera and trade catalogs.

Our customers are collectors of many stripes and likely share our passion for the visual evolution of modernist design. We work with designers, architects, artists, art directors, antiques dealers, or practitioners in any one of our many categories, providing them with reference materials pertinent to their design projects. We welcome the opportunity to research on behalf of our clients’ needs or to locate titles for collectors.

We invite you to explore our Categories, listed at the right. • Brief descriptions appear next to each Category icon, explaining what you can expect to find.

It is our pleasure to hear from you directly. If there is a particular title on your “Wish List”, let us know, we may have it! Our entire inventory is NOT necessarily listed. And if we don’t have it, we will try to find it for you. If you are a designer working on a project in need of specific reference materials – don’t hesitate to contact us. We will gladly recommend or try to locate books and materials that suit your needs. We are open by appointment to those who would like to personally peruse our inventory. See the Visit Us link at the left for details.

• Additional information about Optos Books is listed under Site Information, on the left of your screen.