- published in the late fall of 1920
- publisher: Kurt Wolff Verlag (note “ff”)
- printed from the woodblocks cut by Masereel in 1919 for Le Soleil.
- printed by Dr. C. Wolf and Son (note only one “f”)
- printed recto
- 800 numbered copies were published by Wolff in two versions:
- numbers 1 to 50 printed on Imperial Japanese paper and signed by Masereel, and
- numbers 51 to 800 (Note: there is no requirement for these to be signed but clearly some have been).
Wolff #1 to 50
I have very little information but it seems it was published in full leather (green only?). Depending on its condition, the colour can vary as below.
Wolff #51 to 800
- Dimensions: 15.5 x 12.5 cm (6 1/8 x 5 inches)
- as per the Colophon, these copies are to be numbered -BUT – see bottom of this page illustrating one copy with a machine stamped number and another with a handwritten number and signature.
Numbering of 51 to 800 and the absence/presence of a signature
The Colophon reads:
This book was published in the late fall of
1920 in the office of Dr. C. Wolf & Sohn in Munich
for Kurt Wolff Verlag in Munich in a one-
time edition of 800 numbered copies from the
woodblocks cut by Frans Masereel in 1919.
Copies #1-50 were printed on genuine Imperial
Japanese paper and signed by the artist.
This is No. ____
All rights reserved.
- Typically Masereel signed books with a mauve coloured pencil (as per #36 above) but there are many exceptions – one can only speculate as to why.
- why is #227 machine printed while #488 is handwritten?
- #488 is handwritten in a dark purple/blue ink (not that obvious in this photo)
- I am speculating the pencil signature was added on a whim or at the request of the owner, which may be why it was done with a regular lead pencil.
Any information on this topic would be appreciated. wn@wordlessnovels.com