A-D
December – January 1941- 1942
E. McKnight Kauffer,
Robert L. Leslie and Percy Seitlin [Editors]
Robert L. Leslie and Percy Seitlin [Editors]: A-D [An Intimate Journal For Art Directors, Production Managers, and their Associates]. New York: The Composing Room/P.M. Publishing Co., December-January 1941- 1942 [Volume 8, No. 2]. Original edition. Slim 12mo. Thick photo offset perfect bound and sewn wrappers. 60 [12] pp. Illustrated articles and advertisements. Multiple paper stocks. Wraparound cover design by featured artist and author E. McKnight Kauffer. Incredibly well-preserved: a fine copy.
5.5 x 7.75 digest with 56 pages of superb content including the Cover and 14-page insert by modern poster master E. McKnight Kauffer. There is also a 16-page portfolio of photography by a very young Arnold Newman and Ben Rose.
Contents:
Advertising Art Now by E. McKnight Kauffer: a 14-page insert written and designed by Kauffer.
Vanguard Photography by Arnold Newman and Ben Rose: a 16-page black and white photography portfolio.
The Art Education of Nathaniel Pousette-Dart
Dorothy Waugh
Fancy Penmanship
Includes a bound-in copy of DESIGN AND PAPER NUMBER 7 [1941]: A fine 4.75 x 7.75, 16-page fine softcover paper promotional booklet saddle-stitched with uncoated covers promoting the various lines of Marquardt papers. The design and printing of each issue mee tthe highest production standards of the day.
E. McKnight Kauffer (1890 - 1954) was first exposed to modern European Art at the Armory Show (1913) in Chicago. It was after this show that he was sponsored by Professor McKnight of the University of Utah to study painting in Paris. Kauffer took McKnight's name out of gratitude. In 1914, he went to England and remained there until 1940. While in England he made his name as a poster artist. His first commissions were for the London Underground. The publicity manager, Frank Pick was instrumental in distributing the creative and artistic designs by Kauffer. Inspired by the artistic movements of the day, Futurism, Cubism, Art Deco and Surrealism, Kauffer created hundreds of posters for the London Underground, Shell, British Petroleum and Eastman and Sons. He also designed several book jackets and illustrations for the Nonesuch Press and Faber and Guyer. In 1930, he became Art Director of the publishing house Lund & Humphries. In 1937, the Museum of Modern Art held a one man show of his work. He returned to the United States in 1940 and did work for Greek War Relief, the US Treasury, American Airlines, the NY Subway, Alfred A. Knopf, the Container Corporation of America and the New York Times. He received the AIGA medal in 1991.
PM magazine was the leading voice of the U. S. Graphic Arts Industry from its inception in 1934 to its end in 1942 (then called AD). As a publication produced by and for professionals, it spotlighted cutting-edge production technology and the highest possible quality reproduction techniques (from engraving to plates). PM and A-D also championed the Modern movement by showcasing work from the vanguard of the European Avant-Garde well before this type of work was known to a wide audience. [emckk]