wiedler.ch

book (design) story #327

el lissitzky, hans arp:
die kunstismen

eugen rentsch, erlenbach-zürich/münchen/leipzig (reprint: lars müller, baden), 1925
size: 26 x 20 cm
designer: el lissitzky

generally "book (design) stories" features original editions, with a few exceptions like this book which is a later reprint.

"kunstismen" by el lissitzky (1890-1941) and hans arp (1886-1966) is probably the first "new typography" style book published in switzerland.

the book was made when lissitzky spent some time in switzerland to recover from tuberculosis. the bold sans-serif, bold rules, and big bold numbers define the early "new typography" style. the influence of piet mondrian's art – featured in the book – is obvious.

i show a reprint because copies of the original 1925 edition usually command four figure dollar prices – i.e. way beyond what i call "my" price range.