Saturday 4 April 2009

Illustrated Book Of The Week -Pinocchio (1937)

If you don't know what's coming, it doesn't look good - first you have the slightly macabre cover and then the book opens with this line:

Pinocchio

"Once upon a time, there was a piece of wood"

It may not be a very promising start, but this is no ordinary piece of wood. Filled with wild adventures, crazy characters, and some really heavy handed moralising, Pinocchio is one of the all time greats.

This Heritage Press edition is from 1937 and features the gorgeous illustrations of Richard Floethe. An former student at The Bauhaus, Floethe's style is so simple and modern that it looks absolutely timeless. Only the colour palette gives it away - the rich, muted tones are firmly of their era - and all the better for it.

Pinocchio1

Pinocchio2

Pinocchio3

I would say I wasn't impressed, but my nose might grow...

More of Richard Floethe's work can be seen at www.richardfloethe.com

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