GJELLERUP (Karl) – ORLIK (Emil)

Frankfurt am Main, Literarische Anstalt Rütten & Loening, [Gedruckt in der Buch-Druckerei von Oscar Brandstetter in Leipzig], 1907 (1906).

Large 8vo, publisher’s white vellum soft overlapping boards, colour composition on the upper cover and the spine after a design by Emil Orlik, decorated doublure and endpapers by the same, top edge gilt, partly unopened. (8) pp., 321 pp., (5) pp., black and white decorations throughout by Emile Orlik, including one illustration, vignettes, a large headpiece, a large tailpiece, and capital letters. Complete.

First edition.

The Danish poet, playwright and novelist Karl Gjellerup (1857-1919) received the Nobel Prize for Literature with his compatriot Henrik Pontoppidan in 1917.

One of a few deluxe copies in vellum binding, printed on Japanese vellum (this copy marked “No. 1” in black ink), there is no justification.

Elegant ornamentation by the Czech painter, engraver, poster artist, and graphic designer Emil Orlik (1870-1932). The artist studied painting from 1889 to 1891 at the private lessons of Heinrich Knirr in Munich, then attended, from 1891 to 1893, the classes of Wilhelm von Lindenschmit Jun. and Johann Leonhard Raab at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. He travelled to The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Great Britain, etc. During those trips, he came into close contact with the artists Felix Vallotton and William Nicholson, who made highly innovative woodcut posters and prints. From 1900 to 1901, he stayed in Japan, where he studied the technique of Japanese printmaking and developed a passion for colour wood engraving and Japanese art. He absorbed much knowledge from the artists, woodblock carvers and printers he worked with. He spent a fortune on acquiring prints, netsuke and other Japanese artefacts. He made a second trip to the Far East in 1912. The artist joined the Viennese Secession in 1899 and participated in its exhibitions; he collaborated with the magazine Ver Sacrum. From 1904 until his death, he taught at the School of the Museum of Decorative Arts [Kunstgewerbemuseum] in Berlin. The artist also contributed illustrations to Jugend and Pan magazines and worked as a set and costume designer [for Max Reinhardt and the Deutsches Theater]. Orlik both translated Lafcadio Hearn’s books into German and illustrated them.

A very fine copy.

Price: 400,00 euros