Have a look at the book on the design of Hitler Youth Homes, and
miscellaneous Nazi architecture books, also for sale on USMBOOKS.com.

This superb 1938 Nazi Beauty of Labor concept book is **SOLD**.   USM book # 413

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The Office of Schönheit der Arbeit of the DAF (Deutsche Arbeitsfront) decided what constituted kitsch (trash) in Hitler's Germany and what constituted good industrial design. Simple but elegant style was considered to be the classic form by the DAF, and companies that produced it were allowed to use the MODELL DES AMTES SCHÖNHEIT DER ARBEIT cogged wheel and swastika logo as a seal of approval, and fly the golden flag of the Nationalsozialistische Musterbetrieb. In 90% of cases essential form was almost always the same - simplicity of line, substantial but not bulky pieces and the use of a color that was often entirely white. Schönheit der Arbeit was the brainchild of Nazi organizational genius Dr. Robert Ley and came with the wholehearted endorsement of Reichsamtsleiter Professor Albert Speer.

More than any other book of the Nazi period, the one we offer here Das Taschenbuch Schönheit der Arbeit (The Pocket Guide of Beauty of Labor) depicts and explains the concept of Beauty of Labor in such broad terms that it is perfectly understandable to people examining the subject more than 70 years after the fact.

The 6 x 8-1/4 inch, 280 page very, very heavily illustrated book was the work of Anatol von Hübbenet with an introduction, and therefor a heavy endorsement by Professor Albert Speer, Hitler's own architect. The book was published by the Office of Schönheit der Arbeit of the Deutsche Arbeitsfront Publishing House in Berlin in 1938.

Following Speer's glorious introduction, Das Taschenbuch Schönheit der Arbeit provides an in-depth examination of every aspect of the Nazi concept of Beauty of Labor with large photos and a detailed text. The subject begins with the planning stages of any construction, product or service and follows through the erection, manufacture or roll-out and its impact on the people and nation. Many buildings and workplaces are featured as are things like advertising, cleanliness, orderliness and function. Examples include bicycle racks, stairways, factories, offices, tools, work clothing, lighting, ventilation, radios, class rooms, locker rooms, washrooms and showers, toilets, clinics, community gathering rooms, public spaces, meeting houses, dining rooms, tableware and glassware, kitchens, sunbathing facilities, sports facilities, shooting ranges, kindergartens, neighborhoods, art studios, handwork, paintings, wall slogans, automobiles, holiday making, worker barracks, mines, etc., etc.

This is a book that set the stage for what the Nazi Party and country of Germany expected from workers and their leaders in every field of activity, and one of the most cohesive social concepts invented and applied by the Nazis.

It really worked, and any visit to Germany today shows that it is long forgotten. Virtually a Master's Thesis on ways the Nazis used to improve productivity and pride.