Das Buch Ruth [SIGNED]

Vienna: Haybach-Verlag, 1923. Limited first edition. Hardcover. vg- to vg. 1/60. Elephant folio. 21.5x15". Unpaginated. 3/4 vellum over blue paper boards, with gilt lettering on the spine. Pages uncut. This is #12 from a limited edition of 60 copies, hand signed by the artist on the colophon at the back. The book consists of the text of the biblical book of Ruth, with text in German, illustrated with five original drypoint etchings by Viennese artist Lilly Steiner. The images are expressive and convey a real sense of emotion, depicting scenes from the story. Each etchings is protected by a tissue guard. Text in German.

Binding with light rubbing and bumping to extremities. Light scratches an smudges to the covers. Interior with some sporadic light smudging an damp staining to pages throughout, including to tissue guards. Some images lightly affected. Some offsetting from the etchings to the opposite pages. Tissue guards with some creasing. Small closed tear to the right edge of the front free endpaper. Binding in very good condition, interior in very good- condition overall. * Lilly Steiner (1884, Vienna -1961, Paris) was an Austrian artist of Jewish origin, who was part of the Viennese Modern Movement (Wiener Moderne). She received an art education under Ludwig Michalek a the the school of arts for women in Vienna. In 1904 she married successful industrialist Hugo Steiner, and later employed architect Adolf Loos to design a house for them, which was built in 1910. "The Steiner House" is now considered a modernist architectural landmark in Vienna. She was an active member of the famous Hagenbund artists society in Vienna until the time of Steiners' immigration to Paris in 1927.

*Theme-Becker, vol.31, p.558-559.