Tag der deutschen Kunst (Day of German Art)

Dießen am Ammersee: Raumbild-Verlag Otto Schönstein, 1937. First edition. Hardcover. Good to near fine condition. Large quarto. 61, [3]pp., 8 plates. Original cream linen cover, with red lettering stamped to spine and front cover. Beveled edges. The Haus der deutschen Kunst (House of German Art) was constructed from 1934 to 1937 following plans of architect Paul Ludwig Troost as the Third Reich's first monumental propaganda building. Its inaugural exhibition (July 18, 1937) was the "Tag der deutschen Kunst" (Day of the German Art), and was intended as an illuminate contrast to the condemned modern art on display in the concurrent Degenerate art exhibition (Entartete Kunst), also held by the Nazis in Munich on July 19, 1937.

This scarce stereoscopic album contains 100 stereographic images (size: 2 1/2 x 5"), 22 of which are pasted on heavy card stock within the textual portion, and 78 resting in lowered pockets inside back board. All the photographs were taken by Hitler's personal photographer Heinrich Hoffmann, and pertain to the opening of the "Tag der deutschen Kunst" exhibition. They show striking views of the city of Munich adorned with decorations and swastikas; outside and inside views of the impressive "Haus der deutschen Kunst"; Hitler's arrival for the inauguration of the building and the exhibition, as well as views of numerous showcased artwork duly approved by the Nazis.

This album is complete with its stereoscope resting in lowered pocket inside front board, and stereo-views in three compartments of inside back cover. Text in German, Gothic script. Binding with light wear along edges and rubbed, some light chipping of first few words on front cover. Minor age-toning of text pages. (Inventory #: 54455)