This series arrived all at once last month after we managed to source a large batch.
The response was overwhelming; thank you so much!!
I recently had the opportunity to meet with a dealer I know and mentioned this to them, so they collected some more for us. This is the last of them for now.
I’m not sure when the next time will be, but this is something we personally love—we display them in our own homes and at our showroom—so we’ll keep doing our best to hunt them down. Haha.
Now, let’s move on to the introduction.
These are school charts from the 1960s produced by Volk Und Wissen Verlag, commonly known as VWV, a publisher in the former East Germany that created almost all textbooks, teaching materials, and educational journals.
They are what are known as roll-up wall charts, which were actually used in educational settings.
To withstand repeated use, paper was laminated onto a linen backing, and although there is some minor aging, they are in great condition.
This particular one was used as a teaching aid for communications engineering back in the 60s.
I don't speak any German, so I just guessed based on the design, but when I asked the dealer, they confirmed it.
It’s a difficult, highly technical subject, so it’s hard to explain in a word, but to put it simply, the items we have arriving today are charts about a type of semiconductor called germanium.
It seems these diagrams were mainly used to explain high-frequency circuits and high-sensitivity analog lines.
It really is complex. Haha.
But regardless, the design is just great. I can't get enough of this color scheme against the black background. It’s simply cool.
It’s definitely something that grabs your attention visually right away!!
It’s a hand-drawn illustration rather than a photograph, which is typical of the era.
I’m drawn to the brushwork and color choices, which give off a bit of a mid-century vibe.
The inorganic feel and lack of excess, which come from it being a teaching tool, give it a unique charm that’s different from pure art.
We love them ourselves and have them displayed in our homes. Since they can be hung on just a single hook on the wall,
there's no heavy lifting like drilling holes or hammering in nails, making the barrier to entry low. Plus, they’re easy to store since you can just roll them up and they don’t take up space.
Even though we want to handle art in standard frames, we're always worried about the shipping—
after one arrived shattered in the past, we haven't been able to introduce any since. (Haha)
This is the only kind of wonderful art piece that can survive a long move from country to country without any worry of it breaking.
They are highly valued for their design quality in Europe and North America, with prices averaging over 150€.
Depending on the piece, many are traded for around 300€ to 500€.
As I mentioned above, having used these in our interiors for years, taken photos of them, and felt the quality of the paper firsthand, I can say the quality is truly high. It's surprising that they were produced with this kind of quality and design back in the 60s.
I think one reason for the high quality is that they weren't mass-produced, but rather issued by a large company as educational material.
It's a shame you can't touch the real thing, but I guarantee you’ll be moved when it arrives at your door. Haha.
It’s far cooler and has more presence than in the photos. Actually, it has quite a "commanding" presence. "Commanding." Haha.
There are various types all over the world, to the point that there are even collectors, and the fact that it's hard to come across the same one twice is a point that tickles the heart of any vintage lover.
I've written a lot, but I’d be happy if you could just choose one with the same feeling as picking out art or a printed T-shirt!
Price includes shipping and tax / World Shipping And Tax Including Price
material - Paper and Linen
size - Illustration 115x77cm / Rod length 121.5cm
condition - No issues. Although there is some wear due to age and use in an educational setting, it is in very good condition.
