June 10, 2009

Extraordinary early 20th century book covers from Japan

Click the images below now to see the posts:

19 comments:

  1. They're all amazing and strange but third one is just completely insane and undoubtedly my favorite! thanks a lot for scanning hi-res treasures

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  2. very nice. and in full color at that!

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  3. Really lovely and great to be able to see them large.

    Why do most of them not have any text on them?

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  4. oh, and by the way, your site is magnificent. It is such a treat to see these near-lost illustrators and design work.

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  5. Thanks all.

    Ian, from memory, all 650 illustrations are in color (don't you wish every art book was like this).

    Don, some of these must be back covers, though I like to think at least a couple are text-free covers.

    If someone chimes in with details I'll update the post.

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  6. thanks so much for posting these ...have given me so much enjoyment

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  7. 'Extraordinary' is right (for both this and the follow up entry). I would not have picked some of the particularly avant-garde illustrations as Japanese if I saw them out of context and free from the script. It's a testament to their graphic design prowess - albeit, lesser known - for sure. Thanks Will, great post as always.

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  8. Thanks peacay. I was hesitant to use "extraordinary" (usually I let the images speak for themselves), but I have been drooling over this material for a couple months so went for it.

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  9. What a beautiful and inspiring collection of vintage yet timeless designs. Such color and beauty and balance. Thanks for the wonderful post.

    I took a few minutes to browse through your blog and I love the angle you have created; forgotten illustrators, lost designs, human treasures. Keep up the amazing work and thanks again for the inspiration.

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  10. Exquisite. I ♥ the lizard and I have great distaste for reptiles. The symmetry of the girl with her head in her hand is lovely.

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  11. A beautiful and inspiring collection of designs that demonstrate the sensitivity and variety early twentieth century Japanese designers applied to their work. Thankyou for sharing them. I am new to your blog and have just begun exploring the archives. So far, you rank up there with Bibliodyssey.

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  12. Fantastic and wonderful blog.
    So far I've had no luck finding this one online!

    d

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  13. such beautiful things you post!
    thanks so much

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  14. Crazy cool! Your blog´s a it of fresh air inspiration to me as an illustrator. Am looking it up every other day-thanks!

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  15. Interesting! third one is book of edogawa renpo. "view of hell"? 江戸川 乱歩、地獄風景。

    third from the bottom is maybe by kaich kobayashi. I like his illustrations.

    Yes, I am Japanese and sorry my english is ad!

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