251 original etchings made by artist Frank Brangwyn for the book "The Shadow of the Cross" (L'ombre de la Croix) by Jerome and Jean Tharaud, about the life the Carpathian Jews. [No publisher indicated, ca. 1931].
Included is the original copper plate used to print one of the etchings (cancelled).
The collection contains three sets of 73 identical etchings, differing in line boldness and shade, and two additional sets of 16 etchings not included in the book, also identical, differing in printing quality. Held in stiff cardboard case. On the paper portfolios holding the etchings are stickers with the name of the Parisian Lapina publishing house.
Frank Brangwyn (1867-1956) - British painter, engraver and graphic artist of Belgian origin. Brangwyn was knighted in 1941. The brothers Jerome and Jean Tharaud - French writers. Wrote a long series of books, conservative in tone, sometimes to the point of anti-Semitism. Nevertheless the Tharaud brothers took a great interest in Jews and wrote about them often, describing their customs and way of life.
Etchings of varying size on 24X32 cm leaves. Etchings in very good condition. Each set is held in a soft paper portfolio with thin paper dividers. The original cardboard portfolio is dismantled and held, together with the etchings, in a stiff cardboard case apparently made later, itself also worn and damaged.