A–D
September 1941
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]. NYC: The Composing Room/P.M. Publishing Co., August-September 1941 [Volume 7, No. 6]. Original edition. Slim 12mo. Stitched and perfect-bound printed wrappers. 56 pp. Illustrated articles. The cover is an original 4-color offset design by Matthew Leibowitz. Wraparound covers lightly soiled with the front panel fore edge etched, otherwise a very good copy.
5.5 x 7.75 perfect-bound digest with 56 pages of articles including:
- The Work of John Averill by William A. Kitteridge
- Posters from Latin America by Mildred Constantine
- Eric M. Simon
- How to Make Animated Cartoons: a 16-page condensed excerpt from the book Nat Falk: How to Make Animated Cartoons. NYC: Foundation Books, 1941, prepared by Falk especially for A-D magazine.
- Editorial Notes
- Books and Pictures: Books Reviewed California and the West - photos by Edward Weston; Print" Vol. 2 , #1; and The Printed Book by Harry G. Aldis.
This edition of PM is an amazing original example of American Graphic Design.
Matthew Leibowitz (1918 - 1974) attended evening classes at the Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art while he worked in a design studio during the day. He was Art Director of the Philadelphia Advertising Agency before setting up as a freelance advertising artist. From 1942 he art directed and consulted for several firms including IBM, RCA Victor, Sharp and Dohme, Spalding, Container Corporation of America, General Electric, N. W. Ayer and Son, The International Red Cross and others. His work is in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, The Denver Art Museum and the Musee National d'Art Museum, Paris. Between 1941 and 1959 he received 163 gold medals and other awards.
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.