White Collar: A Novel in Linocuts - Hardcover

by Giacomo Patri (Author), Peter Kuper (Afterword by), Tito Patri (Introduction by)

The struggles and injustices faced by workers during the Great Depression spring to graphic life in this powerful wordless novel, which traces a middle-class family's downward spiral. Recounted in 128 striking black-and-white linocuts by artist Giacomo Patri, the story takes place between 1929 and 1933, from just before the stock market crash to the devastating years immediately afterward. The protagonist, an earnest young man with a promising career in advertising, descends into unemployment, debt, and homelessness. Desperate to provide for his family, he discovers common ground with blue-collar workers and the benefits of union organizing.
Because of its controversial depictions of class struggle, unionization, and abortion, White Collar was shunned by publishers, and the author was forced to print his own editions. Early copies are extremely rare; this Dover edition marks the volume's first return to print in decades, and its very first appearance in hardcover.
Suggested for mature readers.

Back Jacket

[front flap]
The struggles and injustices faced by workers during the Great Depression spring to graphic life in this powerful wordless novel, which traces a middle-class family's downward spiral. Recounted in one hundred and twenty-eight striking black-and-white linocuts by artist Giacomo Patri, the story takes place between 1929 and 1933, from just before the stock market crash to the devastating years immediately afterward. The protagonist, an earnest young man with a promising career in advertising, descends into unemployment, debt, and homelessness. Desperate to provide for his family, he discovers common ground with blue-collar workers and the benefits of union organizing.
Because of its controversial depictions of class struggle, unionization, and abortion, White Collar was shunned by publishers, and the author was forced to print his own editions. Early copies are extremely rare; this Dover edition marks the volume's first return to print in decades, and its very first appearance in hardcover.
Suggested for mature readers.
[back flap]
Giacomo Patri
The Italian-born artist and teacher Giacomo Patri (1898-1978) emigrated to the United States in 1916, where he settled in San Francisco and worked as an illustrator for newspapers and books as well as Bay Area unions and political groups. He also served as Chairman of the Art Department at the California Labor School and founded the Patri School of Art Fundamentals.
White Collar constitutes Patri's message of unity for American workers and voters. Compelled to self-publish, he noted, "It took several years to engrave, print, bind, and distribute a book that was seen by very few people who did not need convincing." This new edition brings Patri's historic and ever-relevant tale to a new generation of readers.
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Author Biography

Italian-born artist and teacher Giacomo Patri (1898-1978) emigrated to the United States in 1916, where he settled in San Francisco and worked as an illustrator for newspapers and books as well as Bay Area unions and political groups. He also served as Chairman of the Art Department at the California Labor School and founded the Patri School of Art Fundamentals.