Long May She Wave

This is a review of Long May She Wave by Kit Hinrichs.
I gave this book ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ 3 stars, I liked it.

Kit Hinrichs is considered one of the world's most influential graphic designers and is partner in the global design firm Pentagram. His personal collection of Stars and Stripes artifacts has been exhibited at the American Institute of Graphic Arts in New York and the San Jose Museum of Art.

Long May She Wave is a curated collection of postcards featuring Stars and Stripes artifacts and art from American history.  The cards include photos of antique quilts, WWI soldiers, carvings in whale teeth, patriotic playing cards from WWII and other wonderful historic items.  Some of the cards feature newer art and artifacts as well such as, a hand stitched flag made out of dollar bills in 1997, a flag made of 2500 colored pencils, and a collage of paper flags, fans and ribbons.

These cards are a brief glimpse into history.  It is interesting to see the various ways that the American flag has been used throughout history.  From car dealerships in the Navajo nation, to cigarette wrappers in prisons, to honoring the Allies at the end of WWII and protesting the Vietnam War.

This collection could have been better.  There is very little information about each card.  Some have a single line "Wood and Paper 'Red Star Line' promotional fan circa 1900" to tell you about the card.  When I saw that the author is "considered one of the world's most influential graphic designers" I really expected some gorgeous cards.  I have to admit to being disappointed, many of the cards feature a single item on a plain white background.

With slightly more thought put into the cards by the graphic designer and a bit more information about each card this could have been a truly stunning collection of postcards.  As it is right now it is still a pretty good collection of cards. 

I received this book from blogging for books in exchange for an honest review.