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book (design) story #513

edgar alexander:
deutsches brevier

europa verlag, zürich, 1938
size: 22 x 15 cm
designer: roman clemens (jacket)

emil oprecht's europa-verlag in zürich published many antifascist books by emigrated german authors, see e.g. stories 75 or 298. this is an anthology by edgar alexander-emmerich (1902-1970), a german journalist and writer whose antfascism was deeply rooted in catholicism. he emigrated in 1937 to italy, later to france and finally to the u.s.

if the jacket's geometric abstract drawing reminds of works by paul klee, ...

... this is no coincidence: the design is credited to roman clemens (1910-1992), born in dessau where he later studied at the bauhaus (klee was among his teachers). the drawing belongs to the kind of art banned by the hitler regime as "degenerate". note the somewhat shaky lettering which seems to reflect the uncertain times.

in 1932 clemens emigrated to zürich where he became a successful stage designer. also zürich's most beautiful cinema theatre, the kino studio 4, is a design by roman clemens!

below a copy with the original bellyband claiming: "reader for all good germans!"