wiedler.ch

book (design) story #570

rudolf skuhra:
sturm auf die throne der götter

verlag heinrich scheffler, frankfurt am main, 1953
printer: christoph reisser's söhne, wien
size: 24 x 17 cm
designer: kurt schwarz (jacket)

when i first saw this book on a local flea market i thought: low-angle shot of a mountaineer with snow goggles and blue-sky mountains in a photomontage touched up with airbrush, and a slanted title – this jacket has the style of herbert matter written all over it, ...

... however it is signed "kurt schwarz".

austrian graphic designer paul kurt schwarz (*1916) had studied with franz cizek, rudolf von larisch and paul kirnig, and was a teacher at the university of applied arts in vienna from 1949. his works include experimental films and photography as well as posters, book jackets and graphic designs – e.g. the typography of the famous magazine "magnum".

the first edition of "storming the thrones of the gods" by rudolf skuhra, a book about german himalaya expeditions, was published in 1938 in berlin. it proved very popular, and several revised editions were published after ww2.

this 1953 edition was printed in vienna and ...

... includes numerous photos and map drawings.