Modernism 101: H.N. Werkman
I’ve always been a huge fan of books on modernism, but unless you’re Dave from Grain Edit, it’s pretty hard to get your hands on the good stuff. And so it was with great pleasure that I stumbled onto Modernism 101 booksellers. the site, featuring a vast collection of rare and out of print books on modern design and architecture, serves up cover images and very detailed information on a wide array of classic design texts. Many of the books featured are have sold, but they archive the pages so it’s a great resource for images and information on many books that you’ll probably not find elsewhere. I’ll be running a (hopefully) weekly feature aptly titled “Modernism 101” highlighting the best examples from their collection.
Today’s selection is a collection of Dutch printmaker H.N. Werkman’s work edited by Fridolin Müller. Enjoy!
H. N. WERKMAN
Fridolin Müller
Fridolin Müller (editor), Peter Althaus (introduction): H. N. WERKMAN. NYC: Hastings House, 1967. First edition. Tri-lingual edition in English, German and French. A near-fine hardcover book in decorated glazed paper boards issued without a Dust Jacket: trace of wear overall. Interior textblock in fine condition. Volume Two in a projected four-volume set called Documents in the Visual Arts. A nice copy of a scarce book.
8.5 x 9.75 hardcover book with 104 pages with 79 plates (14 in color) of Werkman’s avant-garde Dutch typography. H. N. WERKMAN presents the most extensive published collection of Werkman’s typography to date. My highest recommendation.
Beautifully designed and printed by Verlag Arthur Niggli in Switzerland with the plate engraving and printing setting a new standard for the reproduction of the presented artwork. Spot colors are used throughout for maximum color fidelity.
Dutch designer and printmaker Hendrik Werkman (1882 1945) is best known for his innovative printing techniques and avant-garde typography. As publisher of De Blauwe Schuitt, a series of underground booklets produced by Jewish dissident poets and writers during the Nazi occupation of Holland, Werkman was imprisoned by German secret police in 1945 and executed without trial just three days before the country¹s liberation.
out of stock
Via Modernism 101
7 Comments Leave A Comment
Sebas van den Brink says:
February 27, 2009 at 3:46 amI live in Groningen, which is the hometown of Hendrik Werkman. There’s also a graphic design museum dedicated to all sorts of techniques. To be honoust, it’s a very boring museum, sadly. Come on by Groningen if you’re ever ’round :)
Ben says:
February 27, 2009 at 5:49 amLovely selection of books, loads of inspiration in there. Not as comprehensive but along the same lines, the typographic magazine Baseline also has a selection of very rare typography publications. Well worth a look:
http://www.baselinemagazine.com/browse_buy/publications/
Great magazine as well.
simon says:
February 27, 2009 at 5:12 pmnice! good architecture books too, http://www.modernism101.com/bayer_bauhaus_1919_1938.php
Brett says:
February 28, 2009 at 8:28 pmLove H.N Werkman! ‘was introduced to his works while interning at Hatch Show Print 2 years ago and wrote a paper on him last quarter.
dave says:
March 4, 2009 at 1:31 amHa thanks for the shout out. I wish I had this book!
randall ross says:
July 4, 2009 at 9:36 amWe just posted a wonderful H. N. Werkman Exhibition Catalog from Valencia’s IVAM.
Randall Ross, modernism101.com
Ragne says:
November 19, 2010 at 3:18 amThanks! This is truly inspirational.