Elemente; Zwolf Farbradierungen [Twelve Etchings]

Hamburg: Hirundo Press, 2007. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Fine. Saltzwedel, Caroline. No. 4 of 10 bound sets, total edition 25 (plus 2 Artist's Proof and 1 HC), elephant folio size, with 12 etchings, each numbered and signed by the artist, text in German. Caroline Saltzwedel, born in England, has lived in Hamburg since 1995 as a graphic artist and painter; in 1998 she founded the Hirundo Press for artists' books in small editions. Her works are in numerous public and private collections including the Bodleian Library, Stanford University, and the Widener Library (Harvard) among many others. Caroline's works are often paired with original, new works of poetry or are based on mythological or other classical figures.

This work was inspired by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832); as Caroline wrote regarding this work, "The Four Elements of ancient mythology have been a timeless source of inspiration to painters and poets alike- not least Goethe, whose West-ostlicher Divan [West-Eastern Divan] is only one work in which their presence is felt. This cycle dedicates three etchings to each of the elements Fire, Water, Air and Earth (the order they appear in German), and is prefaced by the poem 'Allleben' from the Divan. The twelve full-page etchings are each numbered, titled, and signed by the artist in pencil.

___DESCRIPTION: Bound in red linen cloth with three bands of paper inlaid on the front of custom-made crinkle paper by Susanne Krause of Hamburger Buntpapier, title blind-embossed on the spine, all edges uncut, title page with a design that mirrors the front board with three bands of colour (gold and green), the poem directly following (in German), copyright page on the verso of page two of the poem, stating the limitation, this copy being no. 4; Ms. Saltzwedel signed her name in pencil and added below "with best wishes"; the twelve full-page etchings follow, each with its original tissue guard, each of the etchings are numbered "4/25" and are signed by the Artist, each etching is also titled by her, all in pencil. The images are approximately 11.75" by 11.5" on BFK Velin Arches paper that is approximately 15.5" by 17.5"; type is Garamond, hand-set. Edition of 25 copies (plus 2 Artist's Proof copies and 1 Hors-Commerce), of which numbers 1 to 10 are presented as a complete series, hardbound in a slipcase, the case is covered in the same bright red linen cloth with the three bands of crinkled paper on the front.

___CONDITION: All components are fine, as new; all paper is clean and crisp, the colours on the images deep and true, the slipcase strong and sturdy.

___PROVENANCE: From a private collector who acquired this work directly from Ms. Saltzwedel.

___POSTAGE: International customers please note that due to the size of this volume additional postage may apply, please inquire for details.

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