Book Cover Echoes: A Selection of Chinese Modern Book Design, 1906-1949

Author: Jiang Deming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-07-01
Features: This collection is primarily arranged in chronological order, reflecting the development of bookbinding over the thirty years from 1919 to 1949. I am not qualified to study art or the history of bookbinding; at most, I am just a frequent visitor to second-hand bookstores and an ordinary book lover. What I share are merely some ordinary insights, which may include layman's talk. Given my limited exposure, this collection is compiled based on my personal library, which must be quite intrusive. However, without this approach, where else could one find these long-out-of-print editions? Libraries do not lend them out, nor do they allow photography. Even if they did, I could not afford the fees. Moreover, books are often "protected" to the point of losing their original appearance—either tightly wrapped in brown paper or covered in numerous library stamps, leaving them unrecognizable. Therefore, there will inevitably be omissions, and the absence of certain pioneers and contributors is also unavoidable. I hope for your understanding and welcome corrections.