Eric Chaim Kline, Bookseller - Old and Rare Books

Výstava Fotografií Karla Hájka (Exhibition of Photographs by Karel Hajek) [SIGNED]

Hájek, Karel (photography and design by ); Jiří Trnka (design)

Prague: [Ústřední knihovna lavního města Prahy] (Prague Central Library)/ Printed by V. Neubert and Sons, 1936. First edition. Softcover. Large quarto. Unpaginated. Black paper wrappers. Main title page and additional exhibition title page both illustrated with striking photo-montage in b/w. Title page signed in pen by Karel Hajek.

This finely printed photo-illustrated work was published to coincide with the the exhibition of photography by acclaimed Czech photographer and photo-journalist Karel Hajek (1900-1978), held in January 1936 at the Prague Central Library. Images throughout the publication are all gorgeous examples of vibrant b/w photogravure printing. The layout, design and typography of the work was created by Hajek in collaboration with the acclaimed Czech illustrator, puppeteer and animator Jiří Trnka (1912-1969). Following the title page with a playful photomontage showing the photographer in a newsprint suit, is a page of introductory text for the exhibition from writer, playwright and filmmaker Vladislav Vančura (1891-1942), art critic Bohumil Markalous (1882-1952), and finally Hajek himself. This is followed by a beautiful full-page photomontage of images by Hajek, which serves as an introduction to the exhibition. A selection of 7 captioned images from the exhibition is then followed by a text page of technical information concerning the photography, and a full list of the 181 photos included in the exhibition along with their respective film stocks. The final pages are comprised of numerous finely photo-illustrated period advertisements, all also printed very nicely in photogravure. A now very scarce document of the early career of this important figure of Czech photo-journalism.

Minor scratches and abrasions to the front wrappers. Light chipping with tiny stains along the bottom edge of the back wrapper. Lightly rubbed at the head and tail of the spine. Starting at the gutter of the interior front cover. All images throughout very clean and nice. Wrappers in very good, interior in very good+ condition overall. Item #51694

5 OCLC copies worldwide. Not found in 'Czech and Slovak Photo Publications 1918–1989' (Manfred Heiting, ed.).

Price: $1,500.00