Object Timeline

  • We acquired this object.

1924

  • Work on this object began.

2021

2025

  • You found it!

Book, The Art of the Poster: Its Origin, Evolution, and Purpose

This is a Book. It was designed by E. McKnight Kauffer and edited by E. McKnight Kauffer.

This object is not part of the Cooper Hewitt's permanent collection. It was able to spend time at the museum on loan from Smithsonian Libraries and Archives as part of Underground Modernist: E. McKnight Kauffer.

It is dated 1924. Its medium is letterpress. It is a part of the department.

Kauffer regularly published and lectured about posters. The publication of this book, The Art of the Poster, firmly established him as an expert on the subject. Written as a manual for contemporary designers, the book also traces the history of advertising over two centuries and argues that artists must have a say in modern poster design.

It is credited Smithsonian Libraries and Archives.

Its dimensions are

H x W (closed): 31.1 × 22.9 cm (12 1/4 in. × 9 in.)

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Underground Modernist: E. McKnight Kauffer.

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-6.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/2318805173/ |title=Book, The Art of the Poster: Its Origin, Evolution, and Purpose |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=19 March 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>