Book - Vitéz, Miklós: Évforduló. Budapest, 1911

Lajos Kozma designed the publisher’s decorative cloth binding of this book, and his name can be seen at the bottom of the cover. The ornamental composition imitating a large, chalice-like plant decorating the cover is made up of blue and black geometric and stylized floral elements. The author and the title can be seen arranged in four lines of text. The name of the designer is below the base of the plant. There is another uniquely composed decorative motif inspired by folk art below the elegant, thin-lined lettering of the title on the title page. This motif is comprised of two long-stemmed plants next to one another with a peacock that has lowered its head standing on the wider plant. It comes to light from the dedication that the book was made at Klein and Partners bookbinding, “I give this book to Mr. Ferencz Klein, who through his work made my work as it is now – with regards, Miklós Vitéz, Budapest, 10 March 1911.” Miklós Vitéz became famous as a journalist and playwright, and then also wrote screenplays with the advent of talking films. The film version of his early play “Évforduló” (Anniversary) was made in 1936. Numerous popular Hungarian films of the time are linked to Vitéz’s name, such as “Meseautó” (The Dream Car, 1934), “Elnökkisasszony” (Miss President, 1936), and “A férfi mind őrült” (All Men Are Crazy, 1937).