Axel von Graefe, Alfredo Panzini, Il_nuovo_volto_d’Italia, 1933, cover with glassine jacket back and front

This is the Italian version of the original German book. The majority of the photographs were taken in the summer of 1932 and first published in Germany as Das neue Italien (The new Italy) by Axel von Graefe and Kuno Renatus (by C. H. Beck’sche Verlagsbuchhandlung München 1933). Shown below.
The Italian publication Il nuovo volto d’Italia (The new face of Italy) paints a benevolent picture of fascism in Italy, ten years into Benito Mussolini’s dictatorship. The book is packed with 141 images of (mainly young) Italians in physically active poses, with a productive and positive, forward-going spirit. This is a great example of the power of editing, both in terms of the effect it has graphically, as well as the emotional angle, in this case the way it disseminates propaganda.
Wonderfully printed in deep gravure, with full bleed. Well-sequenced images of landscapes, industrial and architectural sites make this book outstanding. The front and back cover image shows the entrance of the Mostra della Rivolutione Fascista (Exhibition of the Fascist Revolution) held in Rome at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni from 1932 to 1934. The avantgarde graphic design and the spiral binding complete and unify this visually stunning photobook treasure.

Four-page text by Italian writer, lexicographer and historian Alfredo Panzini, followed by a 5-page list of the plates, leading to the impressive 141 pages of photographs by Axel von Graefe.

NOTE: No publication date is mentioned in the book, but the official Alfredo Panzini website states 1933 as publication date.

Published by Mondadori 1933

143 photographs

Spiral bound stiff card wrappers

19 x 24.6cm

152 pages

Axel von Graefe, Alfredo Panzini, Il_nuovo_volto_d’Italia, 1933, cover back and front

Publicity ad for Il nuovo volto d’Italia in All’insegna di Mondatori, October 1933

Cover variants

Axel von Graefe & Kuno Renatus, DAS NEUE ITALIEN (The new Italy), 1933

Axel von Graefe, & Kuno Renatus, DAS NEUE ITALIEN, 1933, Hardcover edition slipcase back and front

Published by C. H. Beck’sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, (Oskar Beck) München 1933

107 photographs

75 pages text by Renatus Kuno

Hard cover with dust jacket and slipcase

20 x 27.3cm

146 pages

Axel von Graefe, & Kuno Renatus, DAS NEUE ITALIEN, 1933, Hardcover edition dustjacket back and front

Cover back and front

Axel von Graefe & Kuno Renatus, DAS NEUE ITALIEN (The new Italy) softcover edition, 1933

Axel von Graefe, & Kuno Renatus,_DAS NEUE ITALIEN, 1933, Softcover edition dustjacket back and front

Published by C. H. Beck’sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, (Oskar Beck) München 1933

107 photographs

75 pages text by Renatus Kuno

Soft cover with dust jacket

18.5 x 26.7cm

146 pages

Axel von Graefe & Kuno Renatus, DAS NEUE ITALIEN (Publishers leaflet), 1933

Axel von Graefe, & Kuno Renatus, DAS NEUE ITALIEN, 1933, Publishers leaflet

Axel von Graefe, & Kuno Renatus,_DAS NEUE ITALIEN, 1933, Advertising flyer

leaflet

15.6 x 22.6cm

4 pages