Munsell Ostwald Birren on Color

This three-volume set represents three foundational approaches to color theory by three giants of color science: Albert H. Munsell, Wilhelm Ostwald, and Faber Birren. Together, they provide a comprehensive survey of 20th-century color theory from scientific, artistic, and practical perspectives.

Albert H. Munsell developed the Munsell Color System, which organizes colors by hue, value, and chroma in a three-dimensional color space. His system became the standard for scientific color description and is still used in soil science, geology, and other fields requiring precise color communication.

Wilhelm Ostwald (1853-1932), a Nobel Prize-winning chemist, developed an influential color theory based on the psychological perception of color. His system organized colors according to their relationships to black and white, creating a rational framework for color harmony.

Faber Birren (1900-1988) was America's foremost color consultant, working with major corporations and institutions to apply color theory to practical problems in design, industrial application, and human psychology. He popularized color theory and made it accessible to designers and artists.

This 1969 set, issued by Reinhold (a leading publisher of design and technical books), brought these three essential texts together in a handsome presentation suitable for both reference and study. The original slipcase indicates the set was meant as a comprehensive color theory library.

About the Publishers/Authors: Each author represents a different approach—Munsell's systematic measurement, Ostwald's perceptual framework, and Birren's practical application. Together they provide unmatched coverage of color theory.

Historical Significance: This represents the golden age of mid-century color theory when designers, artists, and scientists were actively incorporating rigorous color systems into their work. For designers, color theorists, or collectors of design books, this is a significant resource.