Land Israel, twenty-five etchings by Hermann Struck, with his signature. Frankfurt am Main: J. Kauffmann, [1905?]. Copy 46/100.
The etchings are based on Struck's sketches from his first visit to Eretz Israel in 1903, and are considered a milestone in the history of Jewish depictions of the Land of Israel. In his correspondence with Struck, Martin Buber lauded these works as a pioneering portrayal of Eretz Israel from a distinctly Jewish perspective.
The twenty-five etchings were presumably produced shortly after Struck's return from his trip (some plates are dated 1903-1905), and depict: the Tower of David in Jerusalem, the Tomb of R. Meir Baal HaNes in Tiberias, the Tomb of Absalom, Rechovot, and another version of one of Struck's famous works – a Jew praying at the Western Wall.
All the etchings are matted and signed in the margins; with a printed list of the works. Copy numbered by hand on the verso of the printed leaf.
[25] etchings, size varies (matted. Passe-partouts: approx. 43 cm). Good condition. Some stains and minor defects. Handwritten inscriptions on verso of some etchings. Minor defects and tears to printed leaf, repaired. Non-original folder with leather spine; part of original wrapper pasted on front board (illustration and title).
See:
• Briefwechsel – Martin Buber. Bialik Institute, 1982-1990. Vol. I, p.89. (Hebrew).
• Hermann Struck – 1876-1944, Exhibition Catalogue, Open Museum, Tefen Industrial Park, 2007. P. 95. (Hebrew).
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, ALE.18.
