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Tuesday, 16 April 2013

Fred Steffen in the 1970s Childcraft Books

Posted on 04:02 by Unknown

* Things are a bit hectic for me at this time so, as you may have noticed, new posts will be intermittent (depending on my schedule). Sorry for that... I should be able to get back to a stable schedule in a week or two. ~ Leif


About a year ago I posted some examples of 1950s album cover art by a Chicago illustrator named Fred Steffen...

Steffen01

Recently I happened upon some 'new' artwork by Steffen - this time from the 1970s. Fred Steffen provided title page artwork for each chapter in Volume 10 of the 1972 edition of Childcraft, The How and Why Library.

Steffen6

Seen at actual printed size, these illustrations are bit indecipherable.

Steffen04

But have a look: when we zoom in on the individual elements... they're wonderful!

Steffen04.detail01

Here you can see Steffen's distinctive linear ink line style and complex but well organized use of detail.

Steffen04.detail03

As a group, these illustrations have a trippy look so reminiscent of the era in which they were created.

Steffen13

Steffen13.detail01

I don't really have any new information of Steffen, so I'll just leave you to scroll through this series and enjoy their groovy quirkiness.

Steffen11

Steffen11.detail01

Steffen10

Steffen10.detail01

Steffen09

Steffen09.detail01

Steffen12

Steffen05

Steffen05.detail01

Steffen07

Steffen07.detail01

Steffen14

Steffen14.detail01

Steffen15

Steffen15.detail01

* This week, as time allows, I'll be featuring more artwork by a variety of illustrators from the 1970s editions of Childcraft, The How and Why Library.
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