(Henschel & Sohn)

Stahl Wird Kraft: Ein Bildwerk vom Bau der Lokomotiven Klasse 23 der Sudafrikanischen Staatbahnen

Kassel, Germany: Henschel & Sohn GMBH, 1939. First Edition. Oblong quarto. A WWII-era German company book documenting the relationship between the German train manufacturer Henschel & Sohn and South African Railways. Profusely illustrated with exceptional industrial gravure images of the production of the locomotives in Germany, and of their exportation to South Africa. With eleven tissue-guarded tipped-on color plates, and a four panel foldout of the entire train at the rear, incorporating elements of photomontage and avant-garde graphic design. The photographer is not credited, but the book has the feel of Hipman's 'Menschenarbeit im Eisenwerke,' or Tuggener's 'Fabrik'. A fine copy in gilt-stamped burlap boards. (Cursory investigation has turned up no evidence of either a dust jacket or a slipcase, but I would wager there was likely one or the other, or both.)