Scarce and fascinating Constructivist-influenced Bauhaus picture-making design game comprised of typographically interesting box with instructions printed to underside of front cover, accompanied by a set of 20 different types of small felt shapes in four colors, housed in a compartmentalized box. 4to. Contents housed inside original illustrated box with red and black lettering. Lacking booklet of pictorial design ideas and cardboard punched pieces which make a stand. Some light spotting and toning to box lid. Georgenthal, Germany (Franz Schmidt & Co.) n.d. (circa 1920's).

Not much is known about Erich Clauss. He created another game around the same time, called "Raummühle", the cover of which is also in the New Typography style, and was known to have illustrated some books immediately following the Second World War. However, his name is not included in a list of Bauhaus students, nor in the Burg Giebichenstein as a graphic or commercial artist. The back cover of the booklet, called "Vorlagenheft 1", indicates the intention to produce and sell several expansions for this kit, but it is not likely that those were ever produced.

The overall typography and design of the box have been attributed to important Bauhaus figure and typographer Herbert Bayer, but we were not able to find any definitive proof of this. The Schmidt Company archives burned down in 1955, so there are no old documents available to consult. The company was known primarily for its doll production, and Clauss's two games are the only games produced that we can trace to the company. A rare and interesting game and design object with influences of Bauhaus, Constructivism, New Objectivity, and New Typography; as of June 2026, OCLC locates only two holdings of this design game.

Book ID: 53724

Price: $2,250.00