Jandík, Stanislav and František Ketzek (artist).

[TOMÁŠ BÁ'TA] Železní tovaryši: sociologická reportáž o zrození nového věku [Iron journeymen: a sociological report on the birth of a new age].

Prague: Nákladem Volné myšlenky, 1938. Octavo (19.3 × 13.3 cm). Original pictorial wrappers by František Ketzek; 469, [7] pp. Very good; small repair inside front wrapper; tiny contemporary owner stamp (Dr. J. V. Kotas); uncut and unopened copy. Item #54169

Stanislav Jandík (1902-1970) was a Czech writer and journalist who was affiliated with the leftist "Levá fronta" group in Brno and published extensively on the Soviet Union. Here he presents the "first objective and very interesting narrative of the beginnings of the Baťa enterprises, and the first biographical survey of its creator Tomáš Baťa." A work of extensive proportions, it also includes many previously unknown documents and primary sources meant to illuminate the darker side of Baťa's brand of capitalism and labor rationalization, while also touching on Fordism and Fayolism.

Originally based in Moravian Zlín, the company is today a large multi-national concern and the largest producer of shoes worldwide by volume. Under Tomáš Baťa's direction, Zlín was transformed into a major center of functionalist architecture, and became especially known for the large functionalist factory workers' settlements. His larger-than-life capitalist ambitions were a source of enormous fascination, but he was also subject to criticism for working conditions and the almost dystopian magnitude of his enterprise.

As of January 2024, KVK, OCLC show four holdings outside the Czech Republic.

Price: €250.00

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