Elementary Matrix Algebra

Franz E. Hohn | Third Printing, 1960

The Piece

A 1960 third printing of Elementary Matrix Algebra by Franz E. Hohn, originally published in 1958. Bound in bold red cloth boards with silver stamped title, the book represents a foundational mid-century text in linear algebra during the rise of computing and systems engineering.

The cover design is minimalist and modern—clean type, structured layout, and strong academic presence. Compact in format yet conceptually weighty, this volume embodies the intellectual momentum of the late 1950s.

Design & Construction

→ Form & Style:
Mid-century academic binding in red cloth with silver title stamping. Minimalist typographic treatment characteristic of 1950s–60s university press design.

→ Material:
Cloth-over-board hardcover with stitched binding. Cream paper stock. Crisp interior typography.

→ Publisher Details:
The Macmillan Company, New York
Third Printing, 1960
Library of Congress catalog number present.

Historical Context

Published at the height of Cold War scientific acceleration, matrix algebra was rapidly becoming essential to:

• Engineering design

• Control theory

• Physics research

• Early computer science

• Aerospace systems

By 1960, matrix methods were no longer niche—they were becoming core to modern technological development.

This book reflects that turning point in applied mathematics.

It is math before silicon became personal.

Condition

Good vintage condition.

Red cloth retains strong color saturation with minor edge softening. Interior pages clean and structurally sound. Binding intact.

No dust jacket present.

Product Details

Why It Belongs in Your Home

Because mid-century intellectual objects carry weight.

This book works beautifully:

• On a study desk

• Layered into a modernist shelf

• Paired with industrial interiors

• In a library vignette

• In an office that values design and discipline

The red cloth alone is visually striking. The subject matter adds quiet authority.

It suggests rigor. Structure. Systems thinking.

And let’s be honest—matrix algebra built the modern world.