The New Architecture and the Bauhaus by Walter Gropius [Moholy-Nagy]

The New Architecture and the Bauhaus by Walter Gropius. First published in 1935, this is the third impression, 1956. Faber & Faber Limited, London. 5.75 x 8, pp. 112. Printed in Great Britain by R. MacLehose and Company Limited, The University Press, Glasgow Scotland. Photographic dust jacket by László Moholy-Nagy.

Translated from the German by P. Morton Shand with an Introduction by Frank Pick, most notable for guiding the development of the London Underground‘s corporate identity. One of the most important books on the modern movement in architecture and one of the first accounts of the Bauhaus to be published in English. Gropius presents the rise of the New Architecture and the work of the Bauhaus while addressing fundamental problems and practical solutions and urging architects to become literate with new materials, techniques and requirements. His ideas are neatly organized into sections devoted to: The New Architecture and the Bauhaus, Standardization, Rationalization, The Bauhaus: Preparatory Instruction, Practical and Formal Instruction and Structural Instruction.

Illustrated throughout with (16) excellent black and white photographs, many full page. The striking jacket by Moholy-Nagy features a measuring device set against an intense circle of light with red hand-lettering and an optical effect, perhaps made with transparent materials such as Rhodoid plastic.

A near fine black hardcover stamped in white Futura Black letters with moderate foxing to the end papers and a small “P.T. Pembangunan” label. The original, complete dust jacket has a small tear and horizontal crease to the bottom margin and light wear along the edges and spine. Excellent copy of this important book.