Gustav Wolf (Östringen 1887-1947 Greenfield, Massachusetts)
"Welt" ["World"]
1928
portfolio of 12 woodcuts, plus title sheet, on light cardboard
51,5 x 65 cm (sheets)
the first proof impressions of this opus
without the portfolio cover that was only made later for the published edition
each principal sheet signed in pencil lower right: "Gustav Wolf"
title sheet inscribed by the artist in pencil with dedication and dated: "Für Herrn Dr. Heinrich Stinnes diese ersten Andrucke einer Mappe. Karlsruhe im Mai 1928" ["For Dr. Heinrich Stinnes these first proofs of a portfolio. Karlsruhe in May 1928"]
ending [Ausgang] sheet inscribed and monogrammed by the artist in pencil:
"Diese Drucke sind die ersten in der Presse und zeigen - allerdings noch sehr roh und unvollendet und oft auch noch unrichtig zugerichtet - die Art, wie ich sie drucken will. Die Mappe erscheint im Herbst bei Eugen Diederichs, Jena. Papier, Format etc. wird geändert. GW"
["These prints are the first in the press and show - albeit still very raw and unfinished and often improperly trimmed too - the way I want to print it. The portfolio will appear in autumn with Eugen Diederichs, Jena. Paper, format etc. will be changed. GW "]
Provenance: Heinrich Stinnes (1867-1932), Cologne, the greatest German print collector of his day
Condition: paper browned with defects, including paper losses, in the margins
a one-of-a-kind set!
