Wednesday 11 April 2012

Penguin Books

Penguin Books revolutionised publishing in the 1930s through it's high quality, inexpensive paperbacks. Avoiding the gaudiness of other paperback publishers of the time, Penguin opted for the simple appearance of three horizontal bands, the upper and lower of which were colour coded according to which series the title belonged to. In the central white panel, the author and title were printed in Gill Sans typeface.


Group them together in colour blocks




With their range of simple, bright coloured, uniformed covers, they have become popular to have on display. They look quite stunning when grouped together in colour blocks. I recently came across this photo (below) of a Penguin book blown up and framed, which I think is gorgeous. And after further searching I was pleasantly surprised as to how many Penguin products are available. Not bad for a design created by a twenty-one-year-old graphic designer nearly 80 years ago!


Simple and graphic, this print looks stunning in it's neutral surroundings

A collection of coffee mugs

A box of 100 postcards each featuring a different and iconic Penguin book jacket

I love these deckchairs available in a range of bright colours

Also available in drink bottles and luggage tags

8 comments :

  1. I hadn't thought about it, but it is amazing how 'current' the design looks. I certainly remember growing up with these and being fascinated by the penguin! Annie x.

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  2. Gorgeous post! I LOVE old Penguin books and own a fair few of them. Makes me wish that all novels still came in those fabulously simply designed covers. Bookshelves would look sooo much neater!

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  3. Hello! I am from the Netherlands and found your blog via the blog "Vintaboules"!! I like your blog!! And go to follow..
    ♥ greetings, Herma

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  4. I have just realised that I don’t own any Penguin books and they were my favourites as a child (still are actually)! My fiancĂ© is trying to get me to cut down on ‘clutter’ but I just can’t resist those cute water bottles!

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  5. I still have some Penguin books stashed away in my mums garage.

    The postcards remind me of an ancient monopoly set I found at my mums. I am still looking for the actual board but the box had all the bits and pieces in it including the little wooden houses and metal charms which they don't do anymore, sadly it's all plastic now.

    Love this post, its so original and the images are "quirky" and perfect!

    Lee

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  6. And now I really want a coffee mug... Perhaps the 1984 one.

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  7. Sweet- the luggage tags are my fave.

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  8. I really like the simple design of these Penguin items and the colours are really great too. I think my favourite though would have to be the large print over the fireplace, makes quite a statement in the room. I've just come across your blog too, so will be following from now on :)

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It's lovely to hear from you. Thanks for your comment. Best wishes, Vic xxx

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