Tag: ptt

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PTT…Operatie bedrijfsstijl 1988/1989

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It took over 2 years to realize and implement a new style for PTT NEDERLAND. This took place at the end of the Eighties and after many years of preparations, this completely new style for the dutch company was effective by the end of 1989.  I counted almost 180 people who were involved in executing this operation. The result was another new and completely modern, almost timeless house style, after many years of illustrious and classic house styles  ( Piet Zwart ao) . Another classic and impressive house style was realized. Studio Dumbar was responsible for this new dutch design classic and it was the last house style before PTT was split up into a number of private companies of which KPN and TPG were the main ones.

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With this split up the design department for which PTT was famous, ceased to exist. This department was solely responsible for many of the designs for which PTT became famous. Piet Zwart would not have had the chances as a graphic designer were it not for the orders PTT has given him. The portrait at the head of this article is the self-portrait of Piet Zwart. The greatest of all PTT designers.

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www.ftn-books.com has the beautiful publication on this change of house style of PTT , published by PTT publishing, with the text of Paul Hefting available.

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A rare Wim Crouwel designed publication.

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Most of the people who admire the designs by Wim Crouwel, know that at one time he designed a series of stamps for the PTT ( the postal service in the Netherlands) The series of stamps was widely used and became famous for being functional and still having a great design.

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Because the series was widely used and succesfull, Crouwel was asked to design the book on the publication of the stamps of 1977. This has become a typical Wim Crouwel publication. The book is smaller than usual, but one can recognize the Crouwel Lay-out of the pages. The editions of these “YEARBOOKS” were small and after inquiring i heard the number of 1000 copies. Of these many will have be destroyed or were lost and this is a ncie chance to add this to your Crouwel collection. Available at www.ftn-books.com

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André van der Vossen (1893-1963)

 

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A typical dutch abstract artist who was inspired by many of his great contemporaries. Autodidact he now has a nice following of admireres in the netherland who collect his work. You can recognize influences of Matisse, Miro and Calder in his works, specially when he uses torn papers to make his compositions. Compositions which are constructivist on first sight , but study them more closely they become far more loose and less rigid then the constructivist compositions of these times. I personally like his work very much and it is still very affordable to collect. Pollock and Soulages can be recognized within some of his compositions too, but with a very large difference. …..These works are sold at 1/10000 of their price levels.

Andre van der Vossen worked as a teacher at the Dienst Esthetische Vormgeving PTT and Joh, Enschede as a graphic designer and was member of Vrij Beelden, Creatie (Co-founder), de Salon des Réalités Nouvelles in Parijs and with Liga Nieuwe Beelden.

www.ftn-books.com has a nice publication available at www.ftn-books.com

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Joost Swarte (1947) pins.

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I do not exactly know how many pins by Joost Swarte there have been published during the last 35 years or so, but i have counted 25 of which the most part can be found on Google . These pins are among the very best small collectibles there are. Most of them were published by HET RAADSEL in the early Nineties, but others were published on the occasion of an event  (Film Festival) or commissioned by a large corporation for their museum store (PTT museum). This is a world of small collectibles by Joost Swarte which has not been explored that much. The number of pins published can be overseen and prices are still fair , although rising quickly after recent auctions of these small objects.

www.ftn-books.com has 2 collectable Joost swarte designed pins available.

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Nicolaas Petrus de Koo (1881-1960)

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de Koo was one of the most important of all PTT employed designers. He started as an interior and book designer, but soon after found his way into designing for the dutch postal service PTT. PTT has a long standing history with the best designers in the Netherlands. Schuitema, Piet Zwart and also de Koo have had their history with PTT.

( Piet Zwart designed HET BOEK VAN PTT, available at www.ftn-books.com)

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de Koo designed some of the most iconic of all PTT designs. Among them letterboxes,  printed matter, labels and signs.

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The Gemeentemuseum Den Haag had a special exhibition on de Koo in 1988 and with it a very nice thini catalogue was published for this occasion. The book was originally published in 400 copies, but there was no interest in this publication and at the time the Berlage building was renovated , all of the remaining copies were destroyed. My guess is ther are some 100 copies being sold over time, making this one of the rarest of all Eighties publ;ications of the Gemeentemuseum and i now have an excelent copy for sale at www.ftn-books.com

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