Jerzy Kosiński paperbacks (Bantam)
Steps, Bantam Books N4719, Oct. 1969. Cover art by Leo and Diane Dillon. The small text is set in Bauer Bodoni.
Jacqueline Susann isn’t the only author for whom publisher Bantam Books used Montage. Several of the paperbacks with novels by Jerzy Kosiński (1933–1991) feature this heavyweight by Ed Benguiat, too.
In the 1971 One Line catalog by Photo-Lettering, Montage is shown in a section titled “Engravers”, in widths ranging from Triple Condensed to Expanded. While the style on the cover for Steps (shown above) appears to match the Extra Condensed, the one chosen for Being There (below) is wider, possibly the Extra Bold.
The designer who was responsible for the type and layout isn’t credited.
Being There, Bantam Q7275, June 1972. The cover art might be by Leo and Diane Dillon, too, but this is unconfirmed. Small text is added in all-caps Caledonia.
Being There, Bantam T2265. Judging from the higher price, this is a later printing. The red text at the top is again in Caledonia. The cover art appears to be signed, but I can’t read it.
Cockpit, Bantam Books 02613-5, 1976. The cover art by Sandy Kossin wraps around from the back to the front. Abstract set in Caledonia. “The Painted Bird” is shown in alternating glyph colors, cf. the cover for Dolores (1977).
The Painted Bird, Bantam X8257, Feb. 1975, feat. a condensed style of Montage, set on a curve and flanked by floral hearts (❧). The cover art is a detail from a Hieronymus Bosch painting.
Montage was also used for a paper slipcase with Five Great Novels by Jerzy Kosinski, 1976. Not all of the included volumes use Montage (the spine lettering for The Devil Tree is in Americana). The cover art again is taken from a Hieronymus Bosch painting.
