Fritz Kredel

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The Adventures of Pinocchio, art by Fritz Kredel
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The Adventures of Pinocchio, art by Fritz Kredel

Fritz Kredel (February 8, 1900- June 12, 1973) was a German graphic designer who was born in Michelstadt, but later emigrated to America. In his early years, he studied under Rudolf Koch in Offenbach, and developed skills in woodcuts. After Koch died in 1934, Kredel moved to Frankfurt, but in 1936 he fled Germany (due to political reasons relating to his Jewish ancestry) with help from Melbert Cary.

After emigrating to the United States, he taught at Cooper Union in New York. He illusrated Eleanor Roosevelt's children book, Christmas, and later was commissioned to create a woodcut of the Presidential Seal for the inauguration of John F. Kennedy. He also illustrated several volumes for George Macy's limited edition club. He produced illustrations for over 400 books.

Many of his originals are now housed at the library at Yale University.

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