Swiss precision and Swiss hospitality...over five continents

My first job in this business was as a pityfully paid Junior Finished Artist for one of Birmingham's oldest design studios, a place called Hurlston's (now no more). It was all PMT cameras and Cow Gum. A superb place to start out and a place whose library reflected it's age; in amongst the Graphis and Modern Publicity Annuals were mighty Penrose volumes dating back to the Fifties.

That's where I first spied this monumentally fine piece of work, tucked into a cellophane pocket on page 69 of the 1958 Annual, Volume 52 (although, I'd since forgotten those details). Up until that point, I don't think I'd ever been so excited about a single piece of print. It just fitted under the glass of the afore mentioned PMT camera so I was able to make a dot-screen copy onto bromide paper, which I still have, but it wasn't until David Sames told me about his extensive collection of the Annuals that I thought to seek out a copy of the real thing.

Thanks to David confirming in which edition this Swissair leaflet could be found, and on what page, I bought a copy via Abe for not too much (remembering to confirm with the seller that the leaflet was actually still included).

When it arrived and I pulled out the near mint condition piece, I realised that I'd forgotten just how vivid and, well, beautiful this thing is.

The leaflet is shown in the Annual as part of an article on Graphic 57, a major print and graphic arts trade show held in Geneva. The piece was designed by Kurt Wirth (who also did this), assisted by Paul Beer.

I've uploaded larger than usual images and there's a few more here.

Comments

[Graham G]

Oh wow, that's so gorgeous.

[Antonio]

Beautiful. Hey Richard I have a bunch of new books that I still need to photography. You're going to love some of them.

[Dave]

Beautiful work. Thanks so much for posting this.

[Dan Hill]

That's pretty much the most beautiful bit of print work I've ever seen.

[Richard]

My only worry is that what you are actually experiencing here is Ace Jet peaking. I'm not sure that I can better this; it's all down hill from here on...

[Mat Ranson]

These are great.

Have you ever checked out http://www.airchive.com

[John]

This is very good detail. It is not often that you see this. Thanks for sharing.

[Printed Paper cups]

That is lovely- so different to what you usually see- and well done for keeping it so prostine if it had been in my care I'm sure it would be in a really poor state.

[Paul]

Wow! Stumbled across this site. Got Penrose 52 and this leaflet myself, framed.

Great website!

[Richard]

Hi Paul. Thanks for commenting. This is still my favourite piece of print ever.