Pearl series

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The Perlen series is a series of books founded in 1948 by Adalbert Pechan. She is best known for her self-help guides on a wide variety of topics, including car guides and game instructions. It can be seen as the prototype of the popular guidebook, which is still booming today.

The series was first published by the Austrian publisher (Adalbert) Pechan and, after several changes of ownership, was continued by Deuticke Verlag , which is again an imprint of Paul Zsolnay Verlag (both of the latter are subsidiaries of Carl Hanser Verlag in Munich ). Since 2010, Vienna has had its own publishing house, Perlen series, with Ulla Harms as the publisher. Since 2011, new titles in the Perlen series have been published by this publisher in the tradition of Adalbert Pechan's little guides.

prehistory

From 1946 the Sailers series of bags was published by Ferdinand Sailer's publishing / printing company. It started with topics that many people might need after the war. The first booklet was an add-on calendar for the allotment gardener and grave country and contained only one sheet, the next was a spray calendar for fruit growing , then a guide to monthly work in the small animal farm , new recipes with a recipe for "whipped cream made from dry milk powder", then Interesting facts about cigarette production From raw tobacco to cigarette and finally a guide to bookkeeping. The library catalogs go up to number 46, a textbook on chess for self-teaching from 1955, after which there are still a few reprints. Otherwise there are already the topics: games, motor vehicle / motorcycle, tourism, health, law, breeding and behavior.

In a profile article about the new edition of the Perlen series, Sailer's series is not mentioned. In an article in the Wiener Zeitung of September 2005 about the tarot game Königruf , it says that this series was published by Adalbert Pechan. Anton Holzer also expressed himself in the same medium in October of the same year, but incorrectly assumes that after the first volume, the Perlen series was for a short time the Sailer paperback series . The series almost always appeared with the publisher's note Sailer . Number 34 from 1950, comes out on commission by Pechan; No. 37, a German-Italian book from the same year, is published by Kauf Verlag and No. 39 from 1951 is published by Pechan. No. 39 from 1951 only comes out according to the German National Library with Sailer and Pechan, according to the Austrian entries only with Sailer.

history

Envelope head of the pearl series as it was mostly used. 3 times from 1955, 2 times from 1960, 1 time from 1968. Sometime between 1983 and 1990 the text “Practical and Worth knowing for everyone ”omitted.
Envelope head of the Perlen series, as it was used in most of the new editions of Deuticke Verlag. 2 times from 1998 and 1 time from 2005

Adalbert Pechan (* 1906 in Vienna, † 1960 in Vienna) was a confectionery representative. After he returned from Soviet captivity and no one wanted him in his original job, he began working in a printing company in 1946. Two years later, Heinrich Müller published (The New) Football Rules in Austria, the first volume of the so-called Perlen series published by the publishing house / printer Ernst Pelda & Sohn , later No. 621. In the course of 1950, Pechan went to the Editing works in his own publishing house and the real success of Pechan's pearl series began . He looked for the authors, looked after the manuscripts, took care of cover design, printing, delivery and advertising. He was supported by his wife Hedwig.

In the imprint, the publishing house Adalbert Pechan was happy to present itself internationally with the entry “Vienna, Munich, Zurich”, sometimes also with “New York”. Within a few years, the Perlen series had established itself primarily in Austria, but also in German-speaking countries, as a guide-paperback publisher with a recognizable cover design. Pechan thereby set standards in the publishing business. The series logo was designed in-house and the colored covers were commissioned from Viennese graphic studios such as Czermak or Gratsch-Dorner. The volumes offered “the flair of a comprehensive educational offer”, according to the guideline printed on them: “Practical u. Worth knowing for everyone ”. Pechan produced and sold what promised success, responded quickly and reprinted when the market seemed cheap. He not only sold the best books through bookstores, but also - to the displeasure of the Chamber of Commerce - through direct buyers such as train station kiosks or driving schools. Even though the volumes were sold throughout the German-speaking area, the series is a landmark of Austrian post-war culture.

In 1960, Adalbert Pechan died as a result of overwork after three heart attacks. By then, three million copies had been sold. His widow Hedwig Pechan was able to keep the company, now known as Verlag Adalbert Pechan's Witwe , on the road to success for another decade. In 1970 she sold the Perlen series to the F. Hirsch in- house printing company in Stockerau . There the covers of the books were then given a cellophane cover. However, the presentation and the topics were not adapted to the times and less popular titles were added. In 1983 the publishing house was given a new owner, who was looking in vain to keep up with the times as the Perlen series publishing house with larger formats and supplementary video and audio tape editions. The Deuticke Publishing took over the series in June 1997. Except for the Signet everything has changed. The books were now bound, which caused the price to rise sharply, and “the covers now combined lifestyle design with tastelessness.” In December 2003, Deuticke Verlag was sold to Ernst Klett GmbH and in August 2004 switched to Paul Zsolnay Verlag .

In order to offer the little guidebooks as they were originally designed by Adalbert Pechan, the new guidebooks from the Perlen-Reihe publishing house have been produced with a soft cover and in their original format (105 × 148 mm) since 2011. The typography of the booklet was completely revised by Michael Karner, the book covers are illustrated by Peter Jani. The little guides have also been produced in an environmentally friendly and low-pollutant manner since 2011. Publisher Ulla Harms has set herself the goal of rebuilding the pearl series in the old format, timeless design and printed with the latest environmental standards.

Some of the titles in the old Perlen series are still listed among the available books, until 2005 no new titles were added. The name is not listed as a series title in the directory of available books , the new guides produced from 2011 can be found under the publisher's title Perlen-Reihe (with a hyphen). It should not be confused with the row of pearls (without hyphen) from the Swiss Knapp Verlag.

Publishing program

A few years after the end of the war, the do-it-yourself idea fell on fertile ground in Austria. The central credo of the Perlen series "Help yourself!" Was addressed to everyone who wanted to find their place in the middle of society through their own efforts and became the magic formula in the economic miracle years. Whether practical breakdown books for the driver , advice for aquarium fans or a history guide for mothers. The aim was to impart selected skills and abilities to as many as possible; they were handouts for ordinary people who wanted to get up. It can therefore be regarded as the prototype of the popular advisory literature that is still booming today. The authors came from practical experience and imparted knowledge on how to cook, repair, steer, care for, breed, dance, play, write letters properly, behave well, spend free time and much more. And knowledge was conveyed, for example with 666 questions and answers about operas and operettas , geography, technology, painting and famous personalities. But they also had health advice in the program. Only recent history was never to be found in the publisher's program.

In Austria, the series became famous for two main focuses, which are still associated with the name of the pearl series. On the one hand car advice and on the other hand game instructions. Many of these titles continued to appear in new editions and were reliable bestsellers for years. If the same subject was treated by a new author, the number was retained and often the title as well. Generations of learner drivers have used the factories to prepare for the driving test. After the fifth edition, the Driving License Commission decided to change their questions and the publisher adapted. The Viennese street directory was practically the basic equipment of every taxi driver.

At Deuticke, the humor area was then further expanded with reference works on various joke topics and Adabei ribbons were added.

Selection of some titles

  • counselor
    • Volume 614 - Fritz Beck (pseudonym?): Perfect dancing , 14 editions from 1958 to 1970 with around 100,000 copies sold
      • Volume 614 - Rudolf Lidmila: Perfectly dancing , complete new edition: 1991
    • Volume 678 - Rudolf Wasinger: Know your fellow men. Practical tips for knowing people in everyday life , Volume 1–12, 2nd edition (6–12 thousand): 1957
    • Volume 710 - Ing. Otto Heinz: Freezing and deep freezing
    • Leo Zakl: Jiu Jitsu and Judo. Help yourself! , 8 editions until 1958 and 44,000 copies sold
    • Mom, a story, please. Help book for mothers
    • Aquarium friend, be careful!
    • Cooking lessons for bachelors and straw widowers
    • The right diet for the sick intestine
    • Volume 1000 (since 2005) - Ewald Plachutta, Christoph Wagner: The 100 classic dishes of Austria , 2005, ISBN 3-552-06034-0 (first edition: The 100 classic dishes of Austria , Deuticke, 2003, ISBN 3-85223-471-9 )
      • Volume 1000 (since 2005) - Ewald Plachutta, Christoph Wagner: The 100 Classic Dishes of Austria , 2005, ISBN 3-552-06033-2 (first edition: The culinary heritage of Austria: 100 classic dishes , Deuticke, 2003 ISBN 3-85223 -473-5 )
  • travel
    • Volume 206 - Dr. Liliane Umfahrer: We're going to Yugoslavia , 3 editions from the late 1950s to the early 1980s, 20,000 copies sold
    • Volume 1000 (until 2005) - Hans Meyer: Visiting Vienna. Ein Wiener Stadtführer , 1st edition: 1951, 3rd edition: 1959, 4th edition: 1962, 5th edition: 1966, 6th edition: 1970, 8th edition: 1981
      • Vol. 1000 E (until 2005) - Hans Meyer (author), AF Naerr (transl.): On a visit to Vienna. A Vienna city guide , Pearl Books, 1st edition: 1957; 2nd edition: 1962; 3rd edition: 1966; 1972
      • No. 1000 F (until 2005) - Hans Meyer (author), Bernhard Weiss (transl.): En visite à Vienne , Perlen-Reihe, 1963
  • Knowledge
    • Volume 626 - Do You Know That?
      • Volume VI: Eduard R. König: Do you know that? Ask me something about technology and inventors - 600 questions and answers , 2nd edition: 1957
      • Volume VII: Eduard R. König: Do you know that? Ask me something about operas and operettas - 666 questions and answers , 1st edition: 1953, 3rd edition: 1966
      • Volume VIII: Eduard R. König: Do you know that? Ask Me About Geography - 600 Questions and Answers , 2nd ed. (5–10 thousand): 1958
      • Volume XII: Adalbert Pechan: Do you know that? Ask me about priority. 127 explanations, 127 illustrations , 1st edition: 1957; 10th edition (131–145 thousand): 1964, 16th edition: 1969
      • Volume XIII: Rudolf Heinrich: Do you know that? - Ask me about common foreign words , 1958
    • Volume 1009 - Erich Kronthaler [d. i. Erich Hrdlicka]: Do you know the churches of Vienna? , 1959
      • First part: the churches and chapels of the inner city, including the Karls- and Votivkirche
      • Second part: the churches and chapels of the second to tenth district
      • Third part: the churches and chapels of the XI. to XXIII. District
    • Volume 1015 - Leo Parthé (ed.) Reinhilde Becker (Ill. From 4th edition 1998): The most beautiful and famous Viennese songs / The most beautiful Viennese songs , 1989–2006: 6 editions
    • Hans Ulrich: Stammbuch-Verse und Blumenssprache , 5th edition (23-28 thousand): 1964
  • Motor vehicle books:
    • Volume 509 - Ing.Eduard König: Motorbike and scooter test. Driving license A (4th edition 1957)
    • Driver, check yourself! / Check yourself! , from the 1970s also in Serbo-Croatian.
    • Modern car school
    • Volume 507 - Dr. H. Benes / Ing. E. Nigischer: Check yourself out! The latest traffic regulations picture book for everyone / Check yourself! The latest traffic regulations picture book , 3rd verb. Ed. (41-60 thousand): 1954; 4. verb. Edition (61-82 thousand): 1954; 12th edition (226-250 thousand): 1956; 14. verb. Edition: 1957; 41st full. rework. Edition (736-760 thousand): 1964
    • Volume 512 - Eduard König: The diesel manual (with the latest regulations for trucks and buses) , 1st edition (1–15 thousand): 1955
    • Volume 517 - Ing.Fritz Cavallar : The moped manual with the latest regulations , 2nd edition: 1966
    • Volume 1002 - Hanns Hardegg: New Vienna Street Directory 1st - 23rd district , 7th ext. Edition: 1974
    • Franz Fischer: The driving test. Traffic regulations for all driving license groups with the official examination questions , ISBN 3-85223-201-5 , 69. completely revised. Edition: 1986; 72nd edition: 1991; 74th edition: 1990; 76th edition: 1994; 5. rework. Edition: 1995
    • Wilfried Mohaupt: The driving test. Behavior in road traffic, with the official test questions (driving license group B), ISBN 3-85223-202-3 , 16. durchges. Edition: 1991
  • Games
    • Volume 621 - Heinrich Müller: (The new) football rules in Austria , Ernst Pelda & Sohn, 1st edition: 1948
      • Volume 621 - Leo Zakl: International Football Rules , Pechan, 1st edition: 1954, 2nd edition: 1957
    • Volume 649 - Franz Unger: We lay patience , 1964
    • Volume 651 - Alexander von Szanto: Poker , 1983
    • Volume 680 - Franz C. Mickl-Unger: The well-known Viennese shoemaker's dream book. With the correct lottery numbers , 5th edition (31-36 thousand): 1962
    • The most beautiful patience
    • Who is playing?
    • Learn bridge
    • Bidding, wadding and beading
  • humor
    • Volume 230 - Leo Parthé : Congratulations! Cheerful and contemplative congratulations for all festive occasions 1980–1998: 6 editions
    • The best doctors jokes
    • When women laugh maliciously
    • The best sports jokes
    • The best excuses

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ A b c d e Anton Holzer: Perlen der Ratgeberkunde , Wiener Zeitung, October 14, 2005
  2. a b c d Profil , Volume 28, Issues 45–53, 1997, p. 98
  3. without author: Modernes Königufen , wienerzeitung.at, September 19, 2005
  4. ^ Siegfried Hackl: The Tarock Game. Tarock for everyone , (No. 34 from Sailer's pocket series ), Pechan in commission, Vienna 1950 ( entry of the Vienna University Library in the Austrian Library Network )
  5. Luigi Illicher: German-Italian: grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, etc. (No. 37 from Sailer's pocket series ), purchase, Vienna 1950 (according to ÖNB, catalog 1930–1991 & DNB )
  6. ^ Maria Otto Stoeger: Schönbrunn. Guide through the castle, park and Tiergarten (No. 39 from Sailer's pocket series ), Pechan, 1951 (according to ÖNB catalog 1930–1991 & DNB )
  7. F. Brunner, A. Ritter, Durchges. u. erg. v. Tydo Hornik: First aid in the event of accidents and sudden disorders of health. A brief reference book for work, travel, sport and home (No. 38 of Sailer's pocket series ); Sailer, Vienna 1951; Pechan, Vienna 1951 (according to DNB ) - Sailer, Vienna 1951 (according to ÖNB catalog 1930–1991 & Vienna University Library in OPAC )
  8. ^ Fritz Panzer, Elfriede Scheipl: Book publishers in Austria. Market participant-book production-environmental conditions. Research contract from the Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation, Technology, Section V: Innovation and Technology , Book Culture, 2002, ISBN 3-901052-48-8 , pp. 62, 262
  9. Johannes Biba: 50 years of ÖTSV - Who was Fritz Beck? , News from the Austrian Dance Sports Association, August 18, 2008 (bottom)
  10. ^ Frank Heidtmann, Hans-Joachim Bresemann, Rolf H. Krauss: Die deutsche Photoliteratur 1839-1978 , Saur, 1980, p. 112