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The Paperback Revolution

The Paperback Revolution Image 1
Author: Hans Schmoller
Editor: James Mackay
Designer: Tim Graham
Date: Jun 2016
ISBN: 9780993110658
Type: PCS Publication
Pages: 48
Medium: Large Format
Focus: Design, History of Penguin, Penguin Personalities

This essay, written in 1974 by Hans Schmoller, was part of a celebratory volume Essays in the history of publishing in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the House of Longman, 1724-1974, edited by Asa Briggs.

At the time, Schmoller was nearing retirement after a long career with Penguin Books as the typographer, head of production and finally a director of the company. In 1970 Allen Lane died and the company became part of Pearson Longman which was especially focussed on educational publishing.

The essay is reproduced in facsimile and is supplemented by a brief biography of Schmoller and bibliographies of writing by him and about him, all based on the work of Gerald Cinamon. There is also a review by Alan Powers of the 2005 exhibition of Schmoller's work for Penguin.

The whole is edited by James Mackay, designed by Tim Graham and reissued in this format to mark the centenary of the birth of Hans Schmoller on 9 April 1916. It also marks the death of Tanya Schmoller on 14 January 2016.

Sewn bound paperback 16.5 x 26.5 cms; 20 illustrations (some colour)

Printed by Octoprint
Print run 600