Aleksandr Rodchenko (Russian, 1891-1946)

Some cool Constructivist book cover designs from the late 1920s and early 30s from the Museum of Modern Art.

Aleksandr Rodchenko, L'Art Décoratif et Industriel de L' U.R.S.S 1925 — Aleksandr Rodchenko, L'Art Décoratif et Industriel de L' U.R.S.S 1925

Aleksandr Rodchenko. New LEF: Journal of the Left Front of the Arts), no. 12, 1928 — Aleksandr Rodchenko. New LEF: Journal of the Left Front of the Arts), no. 12, 1928

Aleksandr Rodchenko No. S. (Novye stikhi) 1928 — Aleksandr Rodchenko No. S. (Novye stikhi) 1928

+moma.org

Aleksandr Rodchenko, Novyi LEF. Zhurnal levogo fronta iskusstv (New LEF: Journal of the Left Front of the Arts), no. 6, 1928 — Aleksandr Rodchenko, Novyi LEF. Zhurnal levogo fronta iskusstv (New LEF: Journal of the Left Front of the Arts), no. 6, 1928

A nice Paul Rand designed book jacket

Mine Boy by Peter Abrahams. Cover design by Paul Rand. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1955. First American Edition. This beauty is available at Lorne Bair Rare Books for a mere $45

Edward Ardizzone (1900-1979)

"It might be truly said that the born illustrator is not very interested in life as it is. He likes to create his own version of the world around him. Actuality is not pointed enough for him." Edward Ardizzone in a talk "The Born Illustrator" delivered to the Double Crown Club at one of their dinners in 1957. (Read the complete text here). Ardizzone, who illustrated and wrote so many wonderful books, was considered by many to be the father of the modern children's picture book. Here are some of my favorites of his work.

The Witch Family written by Eleanor Estes 1960 — The Witch Family written by Eleanor Estes 1960

The Otterbury Incident 1963 reprint via — The Otterbury Incident 1963 reprint via

The Strand Magazine - October 1947 - cover by Edward Ardizzone. Via flickr

The Little Grey Men by "BB" (Denys Watkins-Pitchford). First published by Eyre & Spottiswood, 1942. Puffin edition 1962, this reprint 1975 (ii). Cover illustration by Edward Ardizzone. via — The Little Grey Men by "BB" (Denys Watkins-Pitchford). First published by Eyre & Spottiswood, 1942. Puffin edition 1962, this reprint 1975 (ii). Cover illustration by Edward Ardizzone. via

Little Tim and the Brave Sea Captain by Edward Ardizzone, copyright 1936, first in a series of 'Little Tim' books. This is the 1968 edition by Scholastic Book Services. via theartofchildrenspicturebooks.blogspot.com

+Edward Ardizzone flickr group +edwardardizzone.org

Vintage children's books from Etsy

I continue to be entranced by vintage books. Sometimes I marvel at the prospect that one day, there will be no more physical books produced. Wouldn't that be awful? I found these on MuddyRiverAntiques on Etsy.