Artistblod
(Artists' Blood)

Stockholm, 1905 > a very peculiar combination of colours here: the red print on the sky blue cloth, and the white title. And there's something perverted about the girls too – they look like prostitutes dressed up as schoolgirls for a sport lesson. Kinky.

Den Odödlige äkta Mannen
(The Immortal Husband)

Stockholm, 1917 > This cover was designed along the principles of neue typographie before new typographie really existed! Tschichold's book appeared in 1928. He was inspired by the Russian avantgarde and the constructivism, but still, this Swedish bookdesign is surprisingly ahead of its time, One wonders who designed it.

I det Mörkaste Afrika
(In Darkest Afrika)

Stockholm, 1890 > The black print on red cloth creates an extraordinary effect in this motif. It is more like a poster than a book binding design.

Jungfrutornet
(The Virgin's Tower)

Stockholm 1914 > This is an example of the book packages that made literature reach a huge number of people for the first time – popular novels published in cheap series. This costed 25 öre (one crown is 100 öre) about 10 % of the price for a bound book. These series appeared around 1910. They were often called ”railwaylibrary” and similar names, and they were sold, yes, at railwaystations and other easy to get places. Editions run at 25 000- 100 000 which was a huge volume for Sweden, and would be today too.

Kortfattad introduktion till den bärbara litteraturen
(A Short Introduction to Portable Literature)

Stockholm, 1988 > A wonderful story in a very attractive package.

Liksom ett par nya ögon
(Like a New Pair of Eyes)

Malmo, 2004 > This is a study of the history of physiology, notably eyesight, in the 19th century.

Mathematical drawing instruments and how to use them

London, 1879 > Wonderful title, wonderful cover. Scientific and technical stuff makes very good decorations!

Med egen ingång
(With One's Own Entrance)

Stockholm, 1935 > This cover very much communicates a 1930s-40s feeling. Kind of a film noir-book cover.