Des vols de Vanessa by Georges Walter
Des vols de Vanessa was written by Georges Walter, originally published in 1972. The book cover was designed by Jeanine Fricker, a French graphic designer who remains largely unknown despite her key role in the revolution of the French book clubs. Fricker collaborated with renowned institutions such as the type foundry Deberny & Peignot, as well as major publishing houses like Larousse, Gallimard, and Folio. While she designed over 300 books throughout her career, her work remains under-recognized.
The book title is set in Univers, a modernist sans-serif that embodies clarity and functional simplicity. In contrast, the V in Sea weed, a decorative typeface by Swiss designer Armin Haab, embraces extravagance. Its exaggerated curves defy the economy of Univers, creating an unexpected juxtaposition that balances rationality with expressive detail.
Published by the Cercle du Nouveau Livre, this book cover resurfaced thanks to Culture Club, a research resource that documents French book clubs and highlights their historical and cultural significance within French publishing.
