[ART NOUVEAU ? GERMAN TYPOGRAPHY] Accidenz-Zierat und Buchschmuck [von C. Adams] J. G. Schelter & Giesecke and C. Adams Book Arts and Design,Graphic Design,Illustrated Books,Modern Art,Typography

Leipzig: J.G. Schelter & Giesecke, [1902 or 1903]. Quarto (28.3 ? 22.5 cm). Original pictorial wrappers on tan card stock, printed in blue and red; pp. 655?674, 653?654, 667?672 (new series), 651-652 [i.e. 30 pp.] of specimens on heavy stock of light orange, green, and blue color. Very light fading and dust-soiling to wrappers; else very good. Striking specimen of an Art Nouveau typeface credited to C. Adams, about whom we are unable to find any further information. The publisher notes: "Mostly depicting stylized natural formations, the majority of decorative pieces offer a welcome opportunity to illustrate the subject matter or simply serve as a picturesque accessory.? The foundry had published another Jugendstil-inspired typeface in 1901, "Edelgotisch" by Albert Knab (1870?1948), a poster designer from the circle around Ernst Growald. The type foundry and machine factory of J. G. Schelter and C. F. Giesecke was founded in 1819 and had become an important, internationally active concern by the 1880s. In addition to a variety of fonts, ornaments, and other printing equipment, it produced letterpress, cylinder proof, and other types of presses. It continued to thrive, with major typographers including Jan Tschichld, Arno Drescher, and Heinz Keune creating exclusive fonts for distribution, before being nationalized in 1946 and becoming part of a "state-owned enterprise" (VEB). For an overview of its history and a list of important typefaces, along with some scans, see the article on Luc Devroye's Type Design Information Page. As of October 2025, KVK, OCLC only trace the copy held at Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Leipzig and at one North American institution.