Harlem as Seen by Hirschfeld.
New York: The Hyperion Press, 1941. Twenty-four original color lithographs by Al Hirschfeld. Limited Edition. Hand-colored illustrated linen cloth, titled in brown, housed in custom matching slipcase with green and gilt morocco spine label (lacking scarce original slipcase). [i-iv], [6, Introduction], [24 lithographs with title-pages]. Some light foxing throughout, mostly to outer edges of pages and minimally effecting a small percentage of plates; re-spined, preserving original backstrip laid down by master binder Glenn Fukunaga, in custom slipcase. Item #241731
ART BEYOND THE ARTS
Al Hirschfeld knew Harlem. And though he may be best remembered for his iconic Broadway caricatures, Harlem as Seen by Hirschfeld remains an important visualization of 1930s Harlem. Rendered in his unmistakable and colorful style, Hirschfeld captures a different New York altogether––the energy, nightlife, music, and cultural vitality of the Harlem Renaissance. Published on December 7, 1941––the very same day of Pearl Harbor––the book was immediately overshadowed by the onset of war. Despite this Hirschfeld's Harlem found a way to rise above the obscurities of war, deepening its historical poignancy and defining itself as more than art.
Issued in a limited edition of 1000 numbered copies, this example is further distinguished by Hirschfeld's signed inscription on the half-title, elevating an already desirable production into a genuinely compelling and beautiful artifact.
Price: $4,500.00