Libuše Niklová

This first monograph on one of Czechoslovakia’s most important designers, Libuše 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 back of the book, listing all of her works.

Designer: Zuzana Lednická
Size: 190x205mm
Pages: 300
Publication: 2013
Binding: Casebound book