Piet Zwart – Film: Serie Monografieën over Filmkunst [Film: A Series of Monographs on Cinema]. Complete Set of Ten Volumes with Original Photomontage Wrappers. 1931–1933.

Rotterdam: W. L. & J. Brusse's Uitgeversmaatschappij N.V., 1931–1933. Ten volumes. Original illustrated softcover wrappers designed by Piet Zwart. In Dutch. Complete set of ten monographs devoted to the history, theory, and aesthetics of cinema, with original photomontage wrappers designed by Piet Zwart (1885–1977), a leading figure of Dutch modernist graphic design. Edited by C. J. Graadt van Roggen, the series was originally planned to comprise twelve volumes, but only ten were published. The individual volumes are:

1. C. J. Graadt van Roggen, Het linnen venster [The Cinema Screen], 1931.

2. L. J. Jordaan, Dertig jaar film [Thirty Years of Film], 1932.

3. Henrik Scholte, Nederlandsche filmkunst [Dutch Cinema], 1933.

4. Th. B. F. Hoyer, Russische filmkunst [Russian Cinema], 1932.

5. Simon Koster, Duitsche filmkunst [German Cinema], 1931.

6. Elisabeth de Roos, Fransche filmkunst [French Cinema], 1931.

7. J. F. Otten, Amerikaansche filmkunst [American Cinema], 1931.

8. Menno ter Braak, De absolute film [Absolute Film], 1931.

9. Constant van Wessem, De komische film [Comedy Film], 1931.

10. Lou Lichtveld, De geluidsfilm [Sound Film], 1933.

The series addresses national film traditions, experimental cinema, comedy, and the transition from silent to sound film. Of particular interest is Menno ter Braak's study of abstract and experimental filmmaking.Zwart's wrappers are among his recognized achievements in modernist book design. Combining photographic montage, diagonal typography, overlapping imagery, and contrasting red and blue printing, the compositions translate the visual principles of cinematic montage into graphic design. Zwart also experimented with a heat-activated transparent surface treatment to give the wrappers a glossy finish, a process that could contribute to their deterioration over time.Complete sets retaining all ten original wrappers are uncommon, particularly in well-preserved condition. The present set is in very good condition overall, with minor rubbing and wear to some spines and wrapper edges, occasional small tears and creasing, and light age-toning. Issue 5 with 1-cm loss at top border of front cover. All ten original photomontage wrappers are preserved. Protected in Mylar.