From drawing to book

The first joint book project by Max Slevogt and Bruno Cassirer is Ali Baba. Slevogt produces around 150 illustrations for it. However, he does not think now about the later finished book.

So, the publisher must make a selection. He sorts the drawings and develops a concept for typography and layout.

Another problem arises for Cassirer because Slevogt only illustrates the passages of text that interest him: he pays no mind to whether the corresponding passages are close to each other or far apart.

This means a lot of work for the publisher. Each illustration must be placed in the right place in the text. At that time, this was done with scissors, a ruler and glue – a painstaking, detailed job.

The exhibited booklet shows this process very vividly. It is heavily cut up. But the few surviving pages provide a good impression. They show how artists and publishers work together to design the book and insert the illustrations appropriately.

A letter from Bruno Cassirer to Max Slevogt dated 5 March 1901 illustrates just how difficult the collaboration with the artist often turned out to be

Dear Mr Slevogt,

Unfortunately, none of us will be coming to Munich in the near future; we must therefore agree on the matter of the illustrations in writing.

We are in complete agreement with the choice of Ali Baba. As far as the reproduction of the drawings is concerned, we cannot make any suggestion until we have seen them, because the choice of printing equipment will depend too much on the drawing techniques used. We would therefore be very grateful if you would send us what you have finished. We could then talk to experts about the possibilities of reproduction on the basis of the drawings. To save effort, it will be enough if you number the drawings, we will then be able to get an idea. So perhaps you will be so kind as to send us the drawings?

Best regards, Bruno Cassirer