“Pensare per immagini”. Il sistema figurativo editoriale tra 1920 e 1945 a partire dalle pubblicazioni Salani

This article outlines the production of Salani, a publisher who conceived and developed a specific figurative pattern for each literary genre he published, trying to conciliate publishing economic needs with cultural research and political rules. We give a detailed reconstruction of Salani’s work during the period between the two World Wars, based on circulars and correspondence which offer a view of the several difficulties faced by the publisher. We point our attention on the figurative aspect and the connection between contents and illustration. The influence of foreign theatre, cinema and the publishing of foreign authors are relevant to understand Salani’s innovative point of view, despite the limits set by fascist regime and catholic morality. The influence of cinema is clearly displayed by the covers of women literature, inspired by movie playbills and it also reveals the interest of Salani for the newest graphic techniques. His relation with Walt Disney concerning the publishing of Snow White closes our research.