[RARE FOOTAGE FROM THE LIFE OF THE TILE MAKING FACTORY] Keramiko-plitochny zavod imeni N.A. Bulganina [i.e. N.A. Bulganin Ceramic Tile Factory]

Moscow, 1937.

25 leaves with 47 mounted photographs, 5 charts. 29x41 cm. In original full-cloth with lettering on mounted metal plate. One photograph lost, otherwise very good.
A unique photo album depicting the mechanization and experimental projects of the largest ceramic tile factory in the USSR with extraordinary constructivist styled design.

Founded in 1890s, this manufactory was a significant phenomenon in the long and rich history of production of decorative tile for the Russian houses. It was nationalized after the October Revolution and contributed to the Soviet design until 1990s. In the period of great achievements and increases in output in the Soviet Union there was a revival of the facing ceramics production. Since the 1930s the plant had become a kind of a testing ground for the technological and art experiments in ceramics. It was entrusted with design of the grandiose project of Moscow metro stations. In 1935 the factory faced with tiles an interior of the first stage of the Moscow metro from Park Cultury to Sokolniki, in 1950s - the stations of the triumphal Circle line. There such an abundance of ceramic details first appeared in the wall covering, figured panels, elements of light fixtures. The pavilions of VDNKh, Luzhniki Stadium were decorated with the products of this factory as well.

The album presents the visual report of full mechanization occurred at each department. The captions to photographs declare the increase in productivity and overfulfillment of quotas. Among the photographs is also a chart of production stages for all types of products, the examples of tile with the different patterns including composite design.