JEAN WALTHER (1910-1968) N.S. KEILPLUG. 1932.
23x30 1/2 inches, 58 1/2x77 1/2 cm.
Condition B: tear at left edge, into image; tears at edges; creases, minor abrasions and foxing in image; tape on verso along tears; hand-signed and numbered 1/25 by the artist in pen. Paper.
Jean Walther was an international figure in the world of graphic design, but the full scope of his work was unknown until recently, when a large archive was discovered in his native Swiss city of Morges. Born into a family of artists, Walther's career took him from Switzerland to France, the Netherlands, New York and eventually San Francisco. In America, he changed the spelling of his name to Gene. Along his design trajectory, Walther worked with Cassandre (in 1930-31), and handled large accounts such as TWA. "Whether independently or while working for large agencies, he developed numerous domains of activity in graphic and industrial design. His work bears witness to the inventiveness and dynamism of this sector during the decades after WWII" (Musée Alexis Forel, Morges - So recent was the discovery of the Walther archive that the museum in his home city is currently holding the exhibition of his work, through July 2016.) This previously unrecorded poster for a cement anchor and screw clearly shows the influence of A.M. Cassandre. rare.