Vintage Values: Classic Pamphlet Cover Design from Twentieth Century Ireland

by Lir Mac Cárthaigh (Editor)

This beautiful gift book showcases over one hundred high-quality pamphlet covers from the archives of the Catholic Truth Society of Ireland (now Veritas). The collection unearths striking designs and illustrations by some of Ireland’s most inventive commercial artists from the 1920s to the 1960s, and offers a unique insight into Irish culture in the middle years of the twentieth century.

Featuring works by artists such as George Altendorf, Karl Uhlemann and George Monks, this 128 page book is packed with eye-popping design.

Titles featured include 'Don’t Marry a Catholic!', 'Shall I Be a Nun?', 'Shall I Start to Drink?', 'Sister Felicitas Wins a Bicycle' and many more.

128 pages, Paperback

First published November 14, 2013

Reviews

[S · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first you're only looking at a collection of cover images. One after the other and no story in between. When you look at it again you're staring into a world, a time, a place and these covers are there showing you with one hand as the other is subverting your expectations.

Using style and designs that you would otherwise link to movie posters, comic books and tragicomic romance novels, it shows a cunning marketing mind to exploit that trigger. To use such a way of art and design that you're pulled into the pamphlet to see what it has to offer.

With good looks they'll motion you in for a peek into their world. But who knows how many converts they grabbed?

What is actually inside, behind these stunning time capsule covers? You'll have to do your own research on what the contents therein reveal. And who knows what kind of left hand swipe that would be.

A glorious and well put together look into the mindset behind a push on things about the Irish Catholic culture.

Free copy provided by publisher through Goodreads First Reads

[Jake Hainey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it, the images were gorgeous, with a great pulpy feel to them. Really cool that these have seen the light of day.

Very funny to see the way values have changed over the years,you're unlikely to see people handing out "Divorce is a disease" pamphlets these days.

Overall, a very enjoyable book for fans of graphic design and comic book/pulp art. One complaint I'd make is that aside from the covers, we're given no information on the contents of the pamphlets and books. I'd have liked at least a brief summary especially in the case of the pamphlets that seemed to contain a narrative, just to satisfy my own curiousity more than anything, how can you not want to know the contents of books with titles like "Murder by accident", "The girl who was frightened by cows" or the blunt but intriguing "Dirty stories"?

I recieved this book through GoodReads first reads, for more of my reviews be sure to check out my blog talesfromideath.blogspot.com

[Lace · Rating 3 out of 5]

In warning, I will tell you that I like the printed ad. I think it's an art form in it's own right. So for me, there wasn't much of a jump to pamphlet covers. This is a very specific subject matter, as they were commissioned by the Dublin CatholicTruth Society of Ireland. This being said, The designs and subject matter are not what you would normally associate with a relgious affiliation. I can definitely see this being supplimental in a graphic arts course study. The good news if you enjoy comic art, or mystery covers from the fifties, this will appeal as well. Not quite Lichenstein or propaganda art, but some where in between.

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book through a GoodReads First Reads giveaway.

An entertaining and visually intriguing coffee table book, showing an obscure line of designs anew. However, it takes only a few minutes to read as there is no comment on the content at all (how I would love to read "Grow up and Marry" [written by two priests] or "The Girl who was frightened of cows-extreme unction"!]). I would have liked at least a small caption to each, as independent of their content the covers are rather harder to interpret.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little book featuring artwork from various church pamphlets-- I got a kick out of the titles especially! Bold illustrations and color, a treat to peruse.
I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads Giveway.