Libu e Niklová

This first monograph on one of Czechoslovakia’s most important designers, Libuse Niklová (1934–1981), explores the rich and delightful world of her plastic toys, featuring nearly 500 color photographs and archival reproductions. Her whistling accordion-pleated Tomcat, and inflatable Buffalo and Elephant have been treasured possessions for several generations of children in Czechoslovakia, occupying a unique position in twentieth-century product design, and many of them are firmly established icons in the Czech design canon. This fun, accessible book gathers her oeuvre into three chapters: "Plastic Playthings 1954–1964," "Accordion and Vernian Toys 1963–1967" and "Inflatable Toys 1963–1981." Full-color reproductions of the toys are punctuated with quotes from Niklová and her colleagues, and with sketches and archival photographs. Also included are a biography and a booklet, inserted toward the rear, listing all of her works.