Eames Portfolio Magazine, Eames Portfolio Magazine Cover

Quick Intro

What is the Eames Portfolio Magazine Cover?

Charles Eames designed the front cover for the Summer 1950 second edition of the Portfolio Magazine, using a full color mock up of one of his favorite kite designs. The edition which featured the Eames Portfolio Magazine Cover also contained a 14 page article on the work of Charles and Ray Eames, from their furniture, to art, case study house, war work to kite design.

Portfolio Magazine was a magazine for the graphical arts. Intended to be published quarterly, the magazine itself was beautifully put together with thick textured pages, fold out sections, exceptional editorial content and contemporary art of the time.

Published by Zebra Press and edited by George Rosenthal and Frank Zachary, it's art director was none other than Alexey Brodovitch who was considered a legend in graphic design, thanks to his work on Harpers Bazaar.

Portfolio is considered a masterpiece today and running through the thick colorful content laden pages, it's not hard to see why. The magazine sadly only lasted for 3 issues, with many citing Brodovitch's insistence that the magazine would contain no advertising content whatsoever, only high quality art and graphic design.

All three editions of Portfolio, from 1950 through 1951 have become very collectible however this, the second edition with the Eames Portfolio Magazine feature has become the most sought after.

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Specification

What is the size of the Portfolio Magazine?

Height	13"	33 cm
Width	10.1"	25.5 cm
Depth	0.25"	0.8 cm

Buying Tips and Authenticity

As with all printed works, the more pristine the condition, the more valuable it is
Check the spine is intact, no peeling and that all the pages and pull out sections are all present.
Check any publications for writing inside which can reduce value, names or owners too.
Despite its glossy cover, many examples of these covers attract ingrained dirt which stuck to the gloss of the cover over the years. The whiter and cleaner the front cover, the more valuable it should be.