I have a real fondness for a series of printing samples from Sanders Printing Corporation called Folio. Published throughout the late 1960s to the early 1970s as elaborate self promotions for their printing and binding services they modestly pulled out the stops. Designers chosen for each Folio were given complete authorship over the content and production — some of these designers included Chermayeff & Geismar, Louis Silverstein, Papert, Koenig, Lois, Mo Lebowitz, and Gaynor & Ducas.
This one, Folio 16, devoted to “Bikes” (designed by Anthony Russell) is one of my favorites. A few weeks back I published Folio 15, an inspiring fantasy identity manual for “David’s Lemonade;” Folio 16 is an American Heritage-styled look at the history of the trusty bicycle in war and peace. It flows from one spread to the next, with each spread contiguously carrying through a visual or thematic element page after page. Of course, the printing, color, layout is exceptional as you’d expect. But more to the point, it is a visual narrative that in a few pages presents history the way graphic design documentation does it best. Its possible now to do this digitally, but having the printed version is another (and for me) even better lasting experience. Thanks, Sanders Printing Corporation and Tony Russell.
