Pestre Cesty Po Echach / Svatopluk Cech

Name/Title

Pestre Cesty Po Echach / Svatopluk Cech

Entry/Object ID

2015.7.194

Description

251 p. : ill. Title loosely translated as "Interesting Tales of the Czech Countryside"

Collection

Kathleen V. Roberts Collection of Decorated Publishers' Bindings

Lexicon

Search Terms

1890s, Art nouveau

Dimensions

Height

9 in

Book Details

Author

Svatopluk Čech

Illustrator

Viktor Olíva

Volume/Number/Issue

1

Publisher

F. Topi

Place Published

City

Prague

Country

Czech Republic

Continent

Europe

Date Published

1891

Binding

Binding Type

Publisher's Binding- European Origin

Binding Designer

Viktor Olíva

Binding Notes

Book cover designed by Oliva, noted Czech Art Nouveau artist. Fine grain olive green beveled cloth. Stylized gilt art deco titles to cover with exaggerated "P" and "C" in black and gilt. Pictorial design of open steamer trunk with the initials "M.B.", open red umbrella, and a pair of red shoes. Design is very detailed, created by finely stamped coloring and indented and raised detail of design. Example: the handle of the trunk and the golden clasps are raised, while the open trunk is indented, creating depth, as is the interior of the umbrella, the inside of the shoes, and the black shadow. The red umbrella is one of Oliva's signature designs.