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Art books in World War Two: a view from the archive

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 June 2016

Valerie Holman
Valerie Holman*
Affiliation:
Art historian, London W2 4NY, UK
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Abstract

Art books in the UK during the Second World War were highly visible and in great demand. Despite paper rationing, stocks destroyed by enemy bombing, and military demands on authors and artists, new types of art book were launched to great acclaim. The archives of Penguin and Phaidon reveal both the constraints under which publishers were forced to operate, and the ideas behind initiatives such as the Penguin Modern Painters series, or Phaidon’s early monographs. Both publishing houses sought to extend the market for art books by producing large quantities at low prices, and maintaining a reputation for high quality texts, design and reproductions.

Type
Research Article
Information
Art Libraries Journal , Volume 24 , Issue 2 , 1999 , pp. 12 - 15
Copyright
Copyright © The Art Libraries Society 1999

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References

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