Craft Horizons Magazine, 1956 [Ivan Chermayeff]

Craft Horizons edited by Conrad Brown, July-August, 1956. Craft Horizons, Inc., New York, USA. 8.5 x 11.75, pp. 55. Cover design by Ivan Chermayeff. Art Directors Ivan Chermayeff and Robert Brownjohn.

With this issue, Craft Horizons magazine has been redesigned by Ivan Chermayeff and Robert Brownjohn and allows for a more effective graphic presentation of contemporary trends in the creative crafts. This special issue includes a text from the editor about the new design and direction and introduces the latest additions to the editorial board: William Lescaze, Greta Daniel, Leo Lionni and others. “Beyond our purpose to dignify and stimulate crafts in America, we are trying to provide a showcase for the work of professional craftsmen in the U.S. and abroad.”

This special issue is dedicated to: Japan, Finland and Italy and features excellent content throughout including: Rokubei Artist-Potters, Tamba Folk Art, Textiles, Hamada Pottery, Finland, Scandinavian Design, Italy Post-War Arts, Venetian Glass, Exhibitions, Books, Bulletins, Product News and more. Heavily illustrated with black and white and some color and various paper stocks.

Chermayeff’s cover interprets the theme of this special issue: Japanese paper at the top is intersected by the white cross-on-blue of the Finnish flag, both superimposed on birch wood; the Italian marble at the bottom is overlaid with mosaic tesserae.

A very good, vintage magazine with a 2.5” vertical crease on the front cover. An excellent issue with an uncommon cover design by Ivan Chermayeff.