when my friend and
co-partner Erik Mosel and I founded Schirmer/Mosel Publishing on
April 1, 1974, neither of us nor any of our close friends had
the slightest idea of the endeavor’s longevity.
As it happens, we are
celebrating the company’s 50th anniversary. And since April 1,
2024 is Easter Monday, we will party on May 1, Labor Day.
Our anniversary program
consists of three programs:
First, the new releases
and jubilee offers for spring 2024.
Second, the illustrated
bibliography of all Schirmer/Mosel books published in the past
50 years. A total of 1826 titles, if I’ve counted correctly.
This catalogue – see cover and sample pages above – gives a kind
of report on our creative use of life to collectors, readers,
authors, booksellers, antiquarians as well as the trade and
general press. Wolfgang Kemp, professor emeritus of art history
who wrote the introductory essay, is also the author of the very
first Schirmer/Mosel book, Rheinlandschaften by August
Sander published in 1975. Following our path from the very
beginning, he gave good advice in many situations. And he has
written quite a few books for us, particularly notable is the
Theorie der Fotografie series he initiated and redacted for
many years. Volume 5, published recently, was edited by his
former student Peter Geimer.
Third, the new complete
catalogue of Schirmer/Mosel books in print, listing a total of
372 titles. Assuming a production of 40 titles per year, almost
ten years of publications are available. At times when the
current production disappears faster and faster, this gives us a
sense of pride and joy.
News has just come in
that our author Candida Höfer is the recipient of the 2024 Käthe
Kollwitz Prize, to be awarded on September 13, 2024, in the
Berlin Akademie der Künste. Moreover, on February 4, 2024, she
is celebrating her 80th birthday. Congratulations!
Please make use of our
lavish publications and celebrate with us. Our representatives
will be happy to inform you on special conditions good for a
whole year and possible anniversary window displays.
Thank you for your
interest and support.
Best regards,
Lothar Schirmer, December 2023