[Vogeler, Heinrich- Crowning Jugendstil Achievement] Der Kaiser und die Hexe Mit Zeichnungen von Heinrich Vogeler-Worpswede

Berlin: Verlage der Insel bei Schuster & Loffler, 1900.

First edition. Original publisher's full stiff vellum binding with gilt lettering on spine, stunning full color endpapers designed by Vogeler in green and red and highlighted in gold. Richly illustrated by Heinrich Vogeler with the celebrated double-spread illustrated title page and frontispiece in Jugendstil/Art Nouveau featuring vivid colors including green, red blue, brown, and highlighted in gold. Illustrated half title and initials. Printed in only 200 numbered copies, of which this is Nr. 145. Printed on handmade, thick paper with watermark of the Insel Verlag. Printed in red and black throughout with elaborate, artistic layout on Alfred Walter Heymelís commission by Otto von Holten. In publisher's vellum, with the inner edges stamped in repeating gilt design. A remarkable copy, one of the nicest we have seen of this incomparable classic, with the stiff vellum boards nearly perfect, with no warping whatsoever. Small wear to edge of front panel, a few brown stains to endpapers. Copious notes in pencil about the edition and old auction records on the verso of the front endpaper. Old presentation inscription on first, blank leave. Inside clean and bright, and overall in fine condition. One of the most beautiful early publications of Insel, with illustrations by Heinrich Vogeler. Vogeler's title page for "Der Kaiser," Hofmannstahlís lyrical one act play, is considered the peak of German Art Nouveau and also one of his masterpieces. In a superb green fine wove cloth clamshell case with quarter contrasting dark green crushed leather spine, gilt ruling and stippling and lettering on spine, and lined in lighter green felt, by Sean E. Richards.

Price: $8,200.00   Item #4885