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two pages of a book with a picture of a man and a womanan open book with a picture of a man and a woman on ita book open to a page with a picture of a building on itthe box is brown and has a picture of a man on it
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1080 - Art Nouveau – Lefler, Heinrich and Joseph Urban
See original version (German)

Estimate €1,000 - €1,500
Sale commission
Description
Art Nouveau – Lefler, Heinrich and Joseph Urban Musäus, Johann Karl August The Books of the Chronicle of the Three Sisters. With numerous, partly coloured, illustrations and book decorations by Heinrich Lefler and Josef Urban. Berlin, Stargardt, 1900. 1 leaf, 54 pp., 1 folio leaf. Illustrated, original cloth binding (slightly stained and rubbed). Oldenburg, Artists 137. Rodenberg 280. Stuck-Villa I, 422. - An outstanding example of European book art around 1900, and at the same time a significant artist’s book of Viennese Art Nouveau. - A magnificent edition, exceptionally elaborate in terms of both typography and illustration, of Musäus’s tale, first published in 1782 as part of *Volksmährchen der Deutschen*. The publication was produced as a prestigious exhibition piece for the 1900 Paris World’s Fair and is regarded as one of the major works of Viennese Art Nouveau in book form. Lefler and Urban combine medieval-inspired historical references, ornamental, two-dimensional design and a finely nuanced colour palette to create a cohesive, theatrically staged visual world; the architectural scenes in particular reflect Urban’s work as an architect and set designer. One of the major works of German Art Nouveau book design, printed to a very high standard in a limited edition and exhibited at the 1900 Paris World’s Fair. - The binding has been professionally and tastefully restored (the colour matches the cover label very well); there are a few isolated instances of light foxing along the page edges, but overall this is a fine copy of this rare Art Nouveau publication. Art Nouveau. – With numerous illustrations, some in colour, and decorative designs by Heinrich Lefler and Josef Urban. Illustrated original cloth (minimally spotted and rubbed). - An outstanding example of European book art around 1900 and an important artist’s book of Viennese Art Nouveau. A lavish edition of Musäus’s tale, first published in 1782 in his *Volksmährchen der Deutschen*, remarkable for its exceptionally elaborate typography and illustration. Produced as a representative display piece for the 1900 Paris World’s Fair, it is regarded as one of the principal achievements of Viennese Art Nouveau book design. Lefler and Urban combine medieval-inspired historical references, flat ornamental design and subtly nuanced colour into a unified, theatrically staged visual world; the architectural scenes in particular reflect Urban’s work as an architect and stage designer. One of the major German Art Nouveau books, printed in a small edition with exceptional care and exhibited at the Paris World’s Fair in 1900. The binding has been professionally and tastefully restored, with the colour very well matched to the original cover label; there is occasional faint fingermarking on the margins. A handsome copy. This lot is subject to standard taxation. A 24.95% buyer’s premium is payable on the hammer price, and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offset Prints, Photographs) is payable on the final invoice amount within the European Union. This lot is subject to the standard tax regime. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (books and art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, screen prints, offset prints and photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union.
See original version (German)
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About the sale Valuable books, prints, historical photographs
Auction location
Auction time 10/24/2026 at 10:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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