Berlin. Eine entwicklungsgeschichtliche Darstellung (Berlin. An Evolutionary Account)
Berlin: Otto Elsner, Graphische Anstalt, 1929. First edition. Softcover. Quarto. 1 leaf, 32pp. 1 leaf laid in. Original illustrated string-bound parchment wraps over yellow half cloth with gray lettering on cover. This beautiful copy of the work includes both the original scarce b/w photo-illustrated wrappers by Arpke and the lavish illustrated gold stiff wrappers.
Issued and presented on the occasion of the 25th World Advertisement Congress Berlin 1929 by Otto Elsner, Graphische Anstalt (Graphic Institute). The work is meant as a performance demonstration of the Otto Elsner company introducing their main printing methods: book printing, photogravure and offset printing. The leaf laid into the publication contains and address to the attendees of the congress by Otto Elsner with a photomontage column on the left showing the Elsner production facilities, printed in photogravure.
Rare promotional publication with thirty-three extraordinary color and b/w illustrations by Otto Arpke rendered in the contemporary style of New Objectivity, including cover. Half-title is a Elsner Print advertisement with gilt overprint creating stylized lettering and figurative elements, duplicated as last page. The text of the brochure exudes unimpeded optimism telling the history and future of Berlin in the most vibrant fashion as an active metropolis that never sleeps: "There are always brains and hands at work to stimulate the masses, to please, shock and inspire... The network of the all encompassing organization of life and work becomes more and more finely woven.... (Berlin) - Metropolis of work in the service of humanity!"
Text in German. Front cover with minor staining and small chips at head and tail of overlaid parchment. Gilt half title and last page with light wear at foredge corners. Back cover lightly rubbed. Interior and laid in sheet in near fine condition. Protected in modern mylar. vg to near fine. Item #48384
The graphic artist, painter, illustrator and teacher Otto Arpke (1886–1943) was one of the best known commercial artists of the nineteen twenties. In 1919 he co-founded the Stahl-Arpke studio working predominantly for the film industry, e.g. the design for the film poster "Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari" in 1920. In the mid-twenties he created the title pages for the new advertising journal Gebrauchsgraphik and designed the typeface Arpke Antiqua (1928, Schriftguss type foundry). Teaching at the Arts and Craft School in Mainz from 1928–1933, he was relieved from his duties by the Nazis. However, Arpke illustrated covers for the journal "The New Line (Die neue Linie)" from 1929–1942 as well as posters for the North German Lloyd Bremen, taught fashion illustration in Berlin from 1933–1935 was director of the advertising art department at the Berlin Meisterschule für Buchgewerbe und Graphik, designed the interiors for the Zeppelins "Hindenburg" and "Graf Zeppelin" and designed poster and brochure for the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games.
Price: $1,250.00