Lithograph, coloured with crayons, on imitation Japan paper 32.8 x 25 cm, framed under glass. The lithograph with the printed inscription "Prinz Jussufs Morgenmusik," to the right of which signed Else Lasker-Schüler in pencil, beneath this inscribed Meinem hochverehrten Hofbanquier [?] Prinz Jussuf von Theben with pen and black ink, in the lower right margin dated 13.VIII 23. A proof coloured by the artist for the volume of poems "Theben," which was published by the Galerie Alfred Flechtheim in Berlin in 1923. The motif was intended for the poem "Ein alter Tibetteppich." -Folds and small marginal defects professionally restored, the left margin irregularly trimmed.
The sheet size proposes the print is a trial proof beyond the deluxe edition of 50 which was decorated with hand-coloured lithographs. Such prints have become very rare.
Ricarda Dick suspects that this print was dedicated to the silk manufacturer and art collector Klaus Gebhard (1896-1976), whom ELS met in 1921 and with whom - with interruptions - she exchanged letters and had a friendship until 1935. He represesnted her financial interests against her publishers at this time, and accordingly she spoke to him as her "Finanzminister." She considered dedicatng her pamphlet against her publishers, "Ich räume auf! Meine Anklage gegen meine Verleger," composed at this time, to "meinem ritterlichen Bevollmächtigten Klaus Gebhard." - ELS was from the middle of July to August, 1923, in Kolberg on the Baltic Sea, where probably she visited Gerbhard.
Certificate
We thank Ricarda Dick for information.
Provenance
Formerly collection of Sandor Torday (1905 - 1983), Hungarian poet, writer and art critic; private collection, Germany.