WW1
Natural Tangents
The Book About Aircraft
Published in Great Britain in 1936 for young readers, this amply illustrated book covers the latest in aircraft in the British Empire between the world war periods. There are chapters on different aircraft types and their functions, with an emphasis on aviation as an advance in civilization and progress. Principal air routes across the world and the British Imperial Airways routes are featured. The color plates make it an especially attractive book for the time period.
The Wiener Werkstatte, 1903-1928
This beautifully illustrated English version of the German Die Wiener Werkstätte, 1903-1928 : Modernes Kunstgewerbe und Sein Weg, commemorates the artists and design of the Wiener Werkstätte - a production community of visual artists founded by Koloman Moser and Josef Hoffmann which was active in Vienna from 1903 to 1928. The book is an artistic novelty, or "Kachelband," designed by Mathilde Flögl (1893-1950), inspired by Hoffman and incorporating innovative use of typography, layout, and bold colors such as gold, silver, red, and black.
Wendingen: Vol. 6: No. 11-12 (1924)
Wendingen (Dutch:Inversions / Upheaval) was an art magazine published from 1918 to 1932. It was a monthly publication aimed at architects and interior designers, and included discussions on graphics, sculpture, ceramics, glass, and theatrical design. The magazine gained recognition not only through its content but also by its remarkable square format, striking typography, and beautiful covers. In 1924, vol.
Notes on Examination of the Effects and Various Objects Found on German Soldiers
The year 2017 marks the centennial anniversary of the United States’ involvement in World War I. This 1917 government publication, marked "Secret and confidential [now scratched out in red]; Not to be taken into front line trenches," provides a tiny window into life on the battlefield. Designed to help military staff on the front lines collect and analyze personal effects from captured German soldiers, it explains the importance of seemingly mundane items like postcards or letters in indicating where entire units of the German Army were located.
Black Aviator
Published by the Smithsonian, this wonderful book is an updated copy of the 1934 book entitled "Black Wings." The original was written by an African American army officer and WWI veteran, Lt. William Jenifer Powell. Released 60 years after the original, this copy includes an introduction by the Smithsonian's Curator of Russian/Soviet & African-American Aviation. To make it even more special, this exact copy was donated by the (late) second Director of the Anacostia Community Museum, Steven Newsome, who started out his career as a librarian!