California Arts & Architecture Magazine, February 1943 [Ray Eames]

California Arts & Architecture magazine, edited by John Entenza, Vol. 60, No. 2, February, 1943. Western States Publishing Co., Los Angeles, California, USA. 9.75 x 12.75, pp. 42 plus covers. Layout and Typography by Robin Park. With a masthead designed by Alvin Lustig based on his experimental type Euclid and a stunning, modern abstract cover design by Ray Eames (1912–1988).

Rare. Between 1942 and 1947, Ray Eames designed twenty-six strikingly abstract collage and photomontage covers for this innovative art, design, and architecture magazine. Free from perspective, organic and loose, her covers captured the modern spirit of Southern California. Her visual vocabulary showed an understanding of spatial compositions and dimensionality of forms and color, influenced by her accomplished studies with painter Hans Hofmann in New York City.

Featuring: Housing—A Memorandum by Catherine Bauer; Carl Sandburg by Peter Yates; Brazil Builds for the New World by Philip L. Goodwin; Hollywood Discovers Russia by Robert Joseph; No. 6727.5 [Hollywood Boulevard] by Grace Clements with a full page reproduction of Charles Howard’s abstract painting “Release”; Interiors—CAL 4108: Channel Heights [Richard J. Neutra furniture]; House in the Hills by Burton A. Schutt; House in a Canyon by Timothy Walston; House by Frederick Monhoff; Furniture by Jens Risom manufactured by Hans Knoll; and more ... Notes in Passing, Products and Practices, Art, Books, Music, and Cinema.

This issue has an important Pacific Northwest modern architecture provenance featuring two architects stamps: “A.[Albert] E. Doyle and Assoc." on the front cover and ”Pietro Belluschi Architect” on the first page. With black and white illustrations and photographs (some by Julius Shulman) and trade advertising.

A very good plus, original vintage magazine which has been slightly rubbed on the front cover. With a light vertical crease to the back cover, light handling and wear along the edges. A rare, well-preserved momentous magazine and Ray Eames cover!