wiedler.ch

book (design) story #499

theodor wolff:
der krieg des pontius pilatus

verlag oprecht & helbling, zürich, 1934
printer: genossenschaftsdruckerei zürich
size: 23 x 16 cm
designer: hermann loos (jacket)

theodor wolff (1868-1943) was a german writer and journalist who was editor-in-chief of the liberal "berliner tageblatt" from 1906 until 1933 when he fled germany. he lived in exile in nizza but was arrested in 1943. wolff was deported to the kz sachsenhausen and died in the jewish hospital berlin.

this first edition of his book the war of pontius pilate, a critical study on the last german emperor wilhelm 2 and his politics, was published by oprecht & helbling in zürich. the photomontage dustjacket combines a portrait of wilhelm with the "berliner tageblatt" frontpage of 9 april 1933 – the issue stating the resignation of hans lachmann-mosse as its publisher.

the jacket design is credited to "hermann loos (zürich)", a designer i have no information about.

on the jacket's rear flap a list of other (famous) oprecht & helbling publications, e.g. books 74 and 187.