Hats
Description: We like the excitement about industrial advancements in Grif Teller's "Giant Conquerers of Space and Time." Teller created this for the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1931, and we imagine the optimistic feeling about what can be accomplished was probably very welcome during the difficult economic times.
Description: We enjoy the absurdity of these musical frogs in dapper dress carefully following their conductor. This is plate 13 of the 1909 book "Komische Käuze" (Strange [Funny] Characters), illustrated by German artist Elisabeth Schellbach. The complete book is available online through the German Digital Library. While we have been unsuccessful in attempts to translate the stories, the illustrations make us smile.
Description: Moriz Jung was part of the Vienna Workshop (Wiener Werkstatte), and he made some amazing postcards. This is his postcard of a poodle/pudel from 1912, numbered 676. He did a great job with the texture of the corded coat and capturing the happy expression of the dog. Tragically, Jung was killed in WW1 when he was only 29.
Description: The Columbia University Teacher's College produced a book of lino prints of the alphabet, "Letters Designed and Cut on Linoleum Blocks" in 1920. We love that the portion of the bird inside the R "loop" could stand on its own, and the rooster tail that curves around is fantastic. The cool design elements to the left of the R and around the border are a bonus.
Description: The Columbia University Teacher's College produced a book of lino prints of the alphabet, "Letters Designed and Cut on Linoleum Blocks" in 1920. We like the way the peacock works in terracotta vs. blue/green, the dots on the peacock's back, and the way the flowers tie it all together.
Description: The Columbia University Teacher's College produced a book of lino prints of the alphabet, "Letters Designed and Cut on Linoleum Blocks" in 1920. For the letter D, we like the deer's stylish antlers and its "don't mess with me" eyes. We also like the way the stripes carry through from tree to deer to tree.
Description: The Columbia University Teacher's College produced a book of lino prints of the alphabet, "Letters Designed and Cut on Linoleum Blocks" in 1920. We like the happy look of the duck and fish, as well as the way the artist creatively used rectangles to provide balance to the composition.
Description: The Columbia University Teacher's College produced a book of lino prints of the alphabet, "Letters Designed and Cut on Linoleum Blocks" in 1920. For the letter L, we like the clouds, the way the moon (or sun) is just "suggested" and left incomplete, and the rippling water on the lake.
Description: The Columbia University Teacher's College produced a book of lino prints of the alphabet, "Letters Designed and Cut on Linoleum Blocks" in 1920. We like the lines on the letter C print - curving waves, sun (or moon), and the "C" vs. the squared off coastal city buildings and windows. This is a cool C.
