Lot 329
Michel Fingesten - Trial Prints for a Book - Berlin
Thirteen trial prints of lithographs by Michel Fingesten, with songs by Alfred Kerr - a draft for the book "Krämerspiegel". [Berlin, ca. 1921]. German.
The book "Krämerspiegel. Zwölf Gesänge von Alfred Kerr für eine Singstimme mit Klavierbegleitung Komponiert von Richard Strauss" [Twelve Songs by Alfred Kerr, for voice and piano, set to music by Richard Strauss] was published in 1921 by the Paul Cassirer publishing house in Berlin, in a bibliophile edition which included, alongside sheet music, impressive illustrations by Michel Fingesten.
Offered here are a trial print of the title page and twelve additional trial prints of Fingesten's illustrations for the book. All the prints are signed in his handwriting, in pencil, and titled "Probedruck" [proof print]. Each print is placed in a passe-partout. Alfred Kerr's songs are written in handwriting (in pencil) on the passe-partout leaves (apparently in Fingesten's hand).
Inserted in fine vellum box, on whose front is an original color illustration by Michel Fingesten (signed: M F).
"Krämerspiegel" originates in a dispute between Richard Strauss and his publisher; following the dispute, Strauss approached the German-Jewish theater critic Alfred Kerr, requesting Kerr to write a satire of the publishing world. The cycle of satirical songs composed by Kerr and Strauss entailed a lawsuit which resulted in a prohibition on performing the work in public for a number of years.
In 1921 Paul Cassirer decided to publish the Krämerspiegel. Ironically, the work, which derides the publishing profession, was printed in a fine and meticulous bibliophilic edition. The book's illustrations were prepared in the spirit of the satirical text.
[13] prints, size varies (the title page print is printed on a 38X28 cm. leaf; the other prints appear on approx. 19X25.5 cm leaves). Placed in passe-partout, 40 cm. Good condition. Slight defects to box. The first print is somewhat dark.
