The publishing programme

The Bruno Cassirer publishing company is created from the joint art and publishing house with his cousin Paul Cassirer. After the two part ways, Bruno takes over the young publishing house and soon makes a name for himself with significant art historical publications.

The programme includes works on architecture, art and cultural history. The topics range from individual epochs to non-European cultures. However, Impressionism remains a special focus.

Another focus is on the life testimonies of artists. Bruno Cassirer publishes letters, diaries and numerous biographies. Catalogues raisonnés are also published occasionally.

He expands the programme to include philosophical writings. These include texts by Ernst Cassirer and Emil Ludwig. He also includes literature in the programme – by authors such as Christian Morgenstern, Robert Walser, Frank Wedekind and Wolfgang Koeppen.

One particularity is the sale of original graphics, including the lithograph of the camel riders shown here.

In a letter dated 4 August 1917, it becomes clear how the publisher Bruno Cassirer endeavoured to find new illustration projects by Max Slevogt in order to fill his publishing programme with attractive works again.

Dear Slevogt, [...]

Your letter, as you may imagine, has left me feeling somewhat uneasy. […]

And if the undertaking [meaning the fairy tale book series] is really to connect with the good German tradition, then the undertaking must be as impressive as possible at the beginning, and only you can help me to do that. For this reason, I would be very grateful if you would illustrate a second volume, whatever material you want. If you happen to have a little free time one day, it would be a quick job.

You say that there is nothing left of our plans. I must indelicately remind you of the Hector, which seems to have vanished from your imagination. But that will probably have to wait until after your journey?

But the fact that nothing is left except the Hector is precisely the fatal thing. And since I have just bought handmade paper (currently the greatest rarity) for a smaller book, all the prerequisites are in place: how about a new original booklet? Lithographs, engraving, etching? I am grateful that you draw my attention to the unjust invoicing of the fairy tale books. Since the volume was about twice as much as believed, I will have another 2000 marks transferred to you.

[…] But it is now virtually essential that a catalogue of your graphic work be published. So, I will get in touch with S.[ievers] when I get the chance. If he refuses, I will be content with an exact catalogue of what I have published.

So now, goodbye. Whatever you draw for me: fairy tale book, Hector, Morgenstern, a new volume with originals, I appreciate everything equally!

Yours, Bruno Cassirer