Phaidon Pocket Series

Phaidon Publishers (New York, US)
Series dates: 1947-1960
Size: 4.5″ x 7.25″

Founded in Vienna in 1923, Phaidon published books on literature, philosophy, art, and history. Moved to England in advance of the Nazi annexation of Austria, Phaidon focused on art titles. A New York office was opened after WW2.

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The Phaidon Pocket Series started after WW2 with a focus on titles with an art and literary bent. Some were revisions of previously published books. This 1951 copy of Burckhardt’s The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy is typical of the series. Jackets have unique illustrations but all have a design framing the front of the jacket. Different colors of ink are used on different jackets. The series name is on the top of the front of the jacket. A blurb for the book is on the front jacket flap.

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Additional titles in the series are listed on the rear jacket flap. The jackets and books are printed in Great Britain. This book bears a New York imprint. Thus the books were printed, bound and jacketed in the UK and shipped to and sold in the U.S. by Phaidon’s New York office.

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Red cloth bindings have silver and black decorations and typography. There is no indication of the series name on or in the book itself.

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The half-title page.

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The title page.

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The copyright page.

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