4128 - Design / German Gas Stations

Design / German Gas Stations Die BV-Großtankstellen von RK Mannheim im Jahre 1952. Presentation album documenting petrol stations in southwestern Germany, dedicated to Director Hörning. 1950s. 57 vintage gelatin silver prints (42 ferrotyped), all on various Agfa papers. Inserted in photo corners or mounted with photo stickers to album pages. Various sizes between circa 8 x 13 cm and 17 x 23,5 cm. Many with stamps of various photographic studios and some with numbers in ink on the verso. All captioned in ink below the images on the album pages. Bound in original half-leather album with gilt-lettered inscription "Raab Karcher G.m.b.H. Mannheim". This collection features striking contemporary photographs showing the iconic mid-century architecture of regional gas stations, sleek vintage Aral fuel pumps, and the burgeoning car culture along the vital transit routes connecting Darmstadt, Mannheim, Heidelberg, and Kaiserslautern. The images beautifully capture the architectural aesthetics of the era - characterized by sweeping cantilevered roofs and vibrant neon lighting - while offering detailed views of station facades and car care bays. Beyond the exterior design of the stations, the album provides a rare socio-historical glimpse into daily life, mobility, and the rapid Americanization of the Rhine-Main-Neckar region. This is highlighted by scenes featuring gas station attendants at work, alongside customer rest areas set against typically West German mid-century interiors. Defined by their functional clarity, these photographs represent a comprehensive documentation of transport history, mid-century modern design, and regional German topographics. – Album with rubbed edges and a few photographs partially loose; some prints with handling dents, scratches, smudge marks and fingerprints, most with small irregularities to the ferrotyped surfaces; otherwise most in very good condition.