Ben Shahn

I've been picking up a few vintage books lately. Here are three of my new ones with jackets/covers by Shahn, Lituanian-born American artist & social realist (1898 – 1969) as well as a couple of iconic examples that I don't own. Some of his absolute best work. All were inexpensive purchases from favorite book shops on Etsy that specialize in the design legends of the twentieth century. They are DesignCollect, PBandW, ElwoodandEloise, & PhillipaFinch . Check them out... but don't buy those I've got my eye on!

The Marxism of Jean-Paul Sartre by Wilfred Desan. A Doubleday Anchor Book 1966

Rendezvous with Destiny by Eric Goldman. A Vintage Book.

The World of Sholom Aleichem. 10-inch lp album cover, designer unknown, artwork by Ben Shahn. Rachel Recordings, New York, circa 1953. via yivosounds.com — *The World of Sholom Aleichem*. 10-inch lp album cover, designer unknown, artwork by Ben Shahn. Rachel Recordings, New York, circa 1953. via yivosounds.com

Maciej Hibner

Hibner, a Polish graphic designer born in Warsaw in 1931 was an important figure in the Polish school of poster design. Here are just a few of his wonderful book jackets and film posters from the fifties and sixties.

"Zielone złoto" Michał Rusinek Cover by Maciej Hibner Published by Wydawnictwo Iskry 1960

Maciej Hibner | Alibi Doskonale (Two Way Stretch) 1963. British (British Lion), 1960. Director: Robert Day. Starring Peter Sellers, Wilfrid Hyde-White.

"Smak soli i pieprzu" (Powiesť o dietstwie) Michał Sztitelman Translated by Zofia and Stanisław Głowiakowie Cover by Maciej Hibner Published by Wydawnictwo Iskry 1965

El verdugo (1963), Luis García Berlanga.

Charles E. Martin

While I'm still on my New Yorker archive obsession, here are some of my favorites by Charles E. Martin, who began his 50 years of covers for the magazine in 1938.

Charles E. Martin | New Yorker Feb 28, 1953

Charles E. Martin | The Guggenheim, New Yorker Jan 24, 1970

Charles E. Martin | New Yorker Dec 6, 1941

Charles E. Martin | New Yorker August 4, 1951

Charles E. Martin | New Yorker September 8, 1962

Illustrators I love: David Plunkert

During all the years I worked as an art director on various magazines, I had the pleasure to work with some fabulous illustrators. David Plunkert has always been a favorite. Here are some of his pieces. The first three, from an article for Audubon Magazine are different for him... I really love what he's doing here with the textures and childlike renderings.

What do birds do for us by David Plunkert. Audubon Magazine.

This is one of many posters he and his studio Spur Design have done for  Theatre Project. Super-smart concepts and strong graphics. — This is one of many posters he and his studio Spur Design have done for Theatre Project. Super-smart concepts and strong graphics.

An illustration David did for us at Fit Pregnancy magazine about work hazards during pregnancy.

+DavidPlunkert.com

Abstract Saturday: Franz Kline (1910-1962)

Kline didn't begin painting abstractly until the 1940s. To help himself think in abstract forms after years of figural painting, he used an enlarger to zoom in on areas of smaller drawings to find the strong gestural, seemingly spontaneous lines that he would become known for, first in black and white and later in color as well. At times, he even revisited his earlier works and added color elements.