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book (design) story #375

hellmut lantschner:
spuren zum kampf

rowohlt verlag gmbh, berlin, 1936
printer: leipziger verlagsdruckerei ag. vorm. fischer & kürsten
size: 22 x 15 cm
designer: herbert bayer

this book is closely related to the one in story 33 – same author, same subject, same publisher, same year, and same designer.

another book by austrian skiing champion hellmut lantschner (1909-1993), published in the olympic year of 1936 by rowohlt, and designed by former bauhäusler herbert bayer (1900-1985). also after 1933 bayer worked in germany as a prolific graphic designer but finally emigrated to the usa in 1938. this touched-up photographic cover is typical for his mid-1930s style.

the title "tracks to the fight" sounds rather in tune with the nazi's aggressive nationalism which included the sports.

again bayer combined the now obligatory blacketter with bold bodoni for titles and page/chapter numbers. and note that his name in the impressum is all-lowercase!

the bled-off photos are impressive, ...

... some plates have smaller photos inserted with drop shadows, ...

... or are arranged film style.

the swastika amidst other national flags reveals which decade the book is from.

the ski-jumping athlete below is the author himself.