František Vopat – Maquette Photobook: Jiří Švengsbír

František Vopat – Maquette Photobook: Jiří Švengsbír
[Bohemia: self-published by Vopat, c. 1950]. Unique photographic maquette / dummy photobook. Oblong quarto (240 × 240 mm). Approximately 25 original silver gelatin photographs mounted on stiff black card leaves, all full-page. Full black leather binding with “Foto Vopat” label mounted to rear cover. Black slipcase.

A remarkable unpublished photographic monograph devoted to the Czech engraver, graphic artist, and stamp designer Jiří Švengsbír (1921–1983). The photographs depict Švengsbír at work in his Prague studio, examining proofs, engraving plates, and in informal portrait studies. The sequence has the character of a finished photobook dummy, carefully edited and printed, likely prepared by František Vopat around 1950.

Švengsbír studied under Antonín Strnadel at the School of Applied Arts in Prague and became one of the most important Czechoslovak stamp designers of the postwar period, ultimately producing more than 250 stamp designs and over 1,000 graphic works. Vopat, a noted Czech photographer active from the interwar through early communist period, produced numerous photographic books including Naše vody (Orbis, 1950) and Zvířata zblízka (SNKD, 1955).

A unique survival documenting both Czech photographic practice and postwar graphic arts culture. No other copy traced. Minor wear to slipcase; photographs generally excellent with strong tonal range.

Please note: Because this is a unique item, sale is restricted to the Czech Republic only. The item will not be shipped abroad.