Wilhelm Deffke

Wilhelm Deffke was a designer active during the 1920s, with his documented output spanning the years 1922 through 1929. His known works primarily consist of commercial graphic designs, reflecting the evolution of visual communication and branding in the Weimar era.

Deffke’s designs demonstrate a clear focus on commercial and corporate materials. Five of his works are currently represented in museum collections. These designs include collateral related to advertising and subscription services, specifically the Qualität Magazine subsription card and the Qualität Magazine advertising invoice. He also executed promotional literature, notably the Car Ernst Hinkefuss brochure. Additionally, Deffke is associated with product branding through the designs titled Manoli Gold and Manoli Privat.

The institutional recognition of his contribution is established by the inclusion of his works in major American collections. Five of Wilhelm Deffke's designs are held by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), establishing the historical significance and museum-quality of his early 20th-century graphic output. Today, much of his functional design work is available through public domain archives, allowing researchers and enthusiasts access to high-quality prints of his commercial art.