The partnership between the Argentinian publisher Constancio C. Vigil and the Spanish graphic designer Federico Ribas was an exceedingly fruitful and colorful one. Vigil was born in Uruguay in 1876 and came to dominate the field of Argentinian journalism during the first quarter of the 20th century, editing no fewer than seven highly-popular magazines. In 1918 he founded the house of Libreria Atlántida (which continues to flourish today). Vigil used the firm to consolidate his publishing efforts and to promote other popular literature, much of which he wrote. He also established for himself a prominent position in the marketplace for juvenile literature and wrote scores of stories for children.
Ribas, born in Galicia in 1890, is little known today, yet is still considered one of Spain’s great early 20th century graphic artists. While Vigil solidified his position in Argentina, Ribas was building a distinguished career as both a publisher and designer throughout Europe. He illustrated books and magazines, worked in advertising, and designed both commercial and artistic posters. Then, in 1936, the Spanish Civil War broke out. Ribas was a vocal opponent of Franco’s and thus found it prudent to leave Spain. He had visited Argentina as a youth so decided to cross the Atlantic – where his reputation had preceded him. Vigil quickly scooped him up and appointed him the Artistic Director of Alántida, a post he held until it was safe to return to Spain in 1949.
Together, Vigil and Ribas issued hundreds of popular illustrated works. The Cuentos de Vigil para los niños, recently acquired by Houghton, is the fruit of this remarkably fertile partnership. It is a diminutive five-volume set consisting of a series of seventy short children’s stories, most of which had already been issued separately. Many of the tales feature anthropomorphized animals, many conclude with moral endings, many display a charming sense of humor, many strive to instruct – all are very colorful. Each one exhibits an innocence that conceals the great effort and talent that went into making it.
Thanks to Karen Nipps, Head of the Rare Book Team, for contributing this post.]
