While rummaging through the studio bookshelves, I met an old friend: Ludwig Hohlwein, a collection of the poster designs by the artist published in Berlin in 1926. Just seeing the binding made me realize how much Hohlwein’s work affected my interest in graphic design and vintage advertising. I picked the book up from Irving Oaklander, the rare bookseller who passed away in 2012. It’s one of the most lusciously illustrated volumes you’ll ever see, mainly because Hohlwein’s work is incomparable. I’d known Hohlwein’s work from the time I was a kid. I was fortunate enough to have been raised by two parents that were endlessly creative and we were all surrounded by different sorts of artwork as I grew up. Many of the images and designs have stuck with me and have influenced both the work I do and the sorts of things I find graphically exciting. I have become somewhat of an authority on the series of posters produced in the 1920’s by the Insull Utilities in Chicago. My interest in this incomparable 10 year campaign stems directly from my admiration for the work done by the London Underground and the work of Ludwig Hohlwien. Needless to say, when the book became available, I grabbed it up!
One important note I have to make regarding Hohlwein’s later commissions during the 1930-40’s, is his work for the Nazi party. There’s no denying his party affiliation — he even turned down an offer to emigrate to the United States in 1931. If you’re not familiar with his work, this may be a large part of the reason. I will say however, as far as I know, none of his pro-Nazi posters were antisemitic in imagery or disparaging towards the “enemies” of Germany.
My introduction to Hohlwein’s work was through a WWI poster that hung in our house and that he designed to promote relief for the wounded.
The book…
… consists of 224 pages, with images printed in sepia and full color. The sepia “rotogravure-looking” images are on light weight glossy paper, with the full color lithographed reproductions are printed on heavy stock.
The (Select) Plates
…The End.
Gebrauchsgraphik was the preeminent advertising art magazine in Europe and is a beautifully produced journal of design and technique. Hohlwein garnered a focus on his 60th birthday in 1934.
In their periodical, “Inspirations For Printers” #98/1936, the West Virginia Pulp & Paper Company (Westvaco) included the Ludwig Hohlwein book in a photo scene used on the cover. “Inspirations For Printers” was a regular collection of celebrated current printing and production techniques. It’s certainly a testament to Hohlwein’s graphic arts status for his book to receive a playful focus like this. (I’ll be doing a feature for Imprint on this Westvaco series soon!)
In his book “The Left Handed Designer” (1985 Harry N. Abrams, Inc. publisher), Seymour Chwast reflects upon the influence Hohlwein has had on his work:
If you’re interested in design history, check out these titles from MyDesignShop: