I Coralli 1947-1976 Exhibition | TGD vol. 03

The “I coralli” series by Einaudi has always had an important role among the realities of the Italian publishing field. Initially curated by Cesare Pavese, it has been a springboard for debuting authors like Italo Calvino and a showcase to introduce great writers, such as Hemingway, Joyce or Quenau, to the Italian audience, with 312 publications, the series has graphically changed many times. The first version’s cover, used for just one year, was designed to hold a reproduction of artists’ artworks such as Guttuso, Cassinari and Morlotti’s. The second version’s cover, that lasted until 1950, was made of colored cardboard showing a detail from Picasso, Matisse and many others’ masterpieces. The third version’s layout, used until 1961, was quite similar to the previous one but with a ivory background. In the fourth version the binding technique changes: the book has a coral red canvas cover protected by an illustrated dust cover.