PM magazine began publication in 1934 and ceased in 1942 when the
United States entered World War II. The publication began as a monthly
journal to provide information about printing to production managers
and other interested people in the field and featured articles on
printing processes, typesetting and other production specific topics.
The publication, which was the only non-profit, cooperative graphic
arts magazine in the US, ran for a total of 66 issues and in February-March
1938 it became a bi-monthly.
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PM cover by Lucian Bernhard, March 1936. |
Through its life it evolved and expanded to become one of the first
publications to showcase new US born artistic talent as well as
talent emigrating to the US from Europe.
The first issue to feature an artist was in March 1936. The entire
front section was designed by Lucian Bernhard and featured his work
as well as biographical information.
In April 1937, the editors announced their intent to devote their
July or August issue entirely to the Bauhaus school. The issue was
to be guest edited by Professor Josef Albers and was to feature
contributions by Walter Gropius, Xanti Schawinsky, Grace Alexandra
Young, William Lescaze and A. Lawrence Kocher. The importance of
this issue and of the mission of the editors is summed up in the
editorial notes of the announcement:
"This issue will be the most
ambitious expression of the editors' belief that those engaged in
a given art of design should be aware of their common interest with
those in other branches if design, whether it be poster art, typography,
scenic design, furniture design, or architecture."
As the magazine evolved to become a journal for art directors and
designers, so too did the covers. While early covers of the journal
focussed on new or interesting printing and production processes,
later covers were uniquely designed, featuring a unique interpretation
of the journal name, often by the feature artist of the issue.
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A-D cover by Irvine Kamens, August/September
1940. |
The feature artist became a regular occurence and was one of the
things that makes this periodical so important to the history of
graphic design.
I have examined each issue individually and the information included
on the data cards comes from these examinations. The entire run
is in the collection in the Cary
Library at
Rochester Insitute of Technology.
Selected issues, designed by important designers, are in the
Special Collection Archives at Rochester Institute of Technolgy.
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