Malcolm and Andy Holzman’s initial collection of ceramic plates expanded to reveal a picture of the Era of Optimism in America. The plates were initially produced by talented individuals, many anonymous, as tokens of remembrance for an enthusiastic audience. Today the picture plates featured in this book awaken us to a history lesson and serve as a Material Witness to mid-twentieth century culture.

Malcolm Holzman is an American architect, who practices in New York City. He is a partner of Steinberg Hart and received the American Institute of Architects’ 1981 Firm Award for the work done at the office he founded, Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer and Associates. In the 1960’s he was an early champion of the innovative reuse of older structures. As an advocate for sustainable building practices, he promoted the most effective and often overlooked method of greening modern buildings by repurposing existing structures and designing new ones with long lifespans. His collagist plans, rotated grids, use of color, and wide palette of construction materials quickly established him as a pioneer in the creation of civic, academic and public structures across the United States.