NEW YORK, NY.- Visionary. Guru. Eccentric. Icon. Many words have been used to describe Elbert Hubbard, but no one ever accused him of being boring.
As mentioned in the New York Times, Elbert Hubbard: An American Original, narrated by actor Liev Schreiber, will make its national debut on Monday, November 23 on PBS. The film traces the history of New Yorks Roycroft Arts & Crafts Community and its founder Elbert Hubbard, the unconventional and enigmatic figure credited with bringing the British style of Arts & Crafts to the United States, and with redefining marketing to sell individualism to the American public.
Over a century ago, designer and entrepreneur Elbert Hubbard left a lucrative marketing career to found the Roycroft Community: a collective of skilled artisans near Buffalo, NY. Guided by Hubbards innovative vision, this pioneering group of printers, book designers, and furniture-makers reasserted the beauty and value of handmade products during a time when machine-made goods were growing in popularity. The exquisite and influential goods produced at Roycroft are highly sought after by todays collectors. The restored Roycroft Inna national historic landmarkstill thrives today on its beautiful surrounding campus.
Produced by WNED in Buffalo, Elbert Hubbard: An American Original takes an unprecedented look at this remarkable chapter in history, and the man whose vision shaped it.