Ein neuer Totentanz in Achtzen Bildern
Stuttgart: J. H. M. Dietz, 1904. First edition. 4to, 19 leaves housed in a printed folder, with cloth ties.
Jentzsch was born into a family of carpenters, and originally studied ceramic painting. While studying with Hildenbrandt and Ferdinand Pauwelsat the Dresden Academy he began to show as a painter, with which he found commercial success. After a move to Munich in 1890 he began to work as an illustrator for the satirical periodical Der Wahre Jacob, and over the next 30 years became one of the periodicals most prolific and popular illustrators. His works are characterized not only by a biting satire of upper class German society, but by a remarkable spatial prowess, both of which are exemplified in this, his second totentanz. The tension and fear of Germany in the first decade of the century are portrayed with death, always male, as a pharmacist, a Prussian military captain, a train conductor, a cemetery plot salesman, a hobo, and a a gentleman, all mixed with modern imagery. Of special note is plate 11, in which death appears as a developer or real estate speculator, surveying several crushed and dead workers after a collapse - "So, Jetzt habt ihr feierabend." (Now you have your day off).
Plates lightly toned, with the occasional tiny crease or nick, but well-preserved and near fine. The folder is darkened and rubbed and frayed at the spine, with the paper at the cloth spine coming up in places, but with the folder still sound. There is an area of moderate swelling to illustrated front panel, with faint discoloration, but otherwise about very good and sturdy.
Rare in the trade, especially complete. OCLC locates 11 holdings, but only three of those in North America. Item #29220
fully in display.
Price: $850.00