Wolfgang Petzet (1896-1985) / Werner Heuser (1880-1964, illustrations) - Der Vorläufer. Gedichte von Wolfgang Petzet - 1924-1924

Der Vorläufer. Gedichte von Wolfgang Petzet – Wolfgang Petzet (1896-1985) / Werner Heuser (1880-1964, illustrations)

Darmstadt: Gedruckt und verlegt in der Dachstube, 1924. Unpaginated [22 leaves]. 22.5cm x 14.5cm. Softcover with the publisher’s stone-grey paper wrappers with lettered cover. First, limited, and numbered edition of this early expressionist poetry collection by the multi-talented German dramatist and critic Wolfgang Petzet. This being No. 109 of 150 copies. Published in 1924 by the avant-garde print collective „Die Dachstube“ in Darmstadt, this scarce volume features four original lithographs by the prominent German painter and Düsseldorf Art Academy professor Werner Heuser (1880–1964). Der Vorläufer (The Forerunner) captures the artistic fervor of the Weimar era's literary underground. Bound in its original softcover format, the collection weaves dark, evocative imagery typical of post-WWI German expressionism, serving as a captivating dialogue between Petzet’s lyrical prose and Heuser's stark, striking visual lithography. A highly sought-after, beautifully preserved artifact of early 20th-century German book art and independent press history. This copy has what looks like an inscription of the author written in pencil on the recto of the front free endpaper (see photos).

Wear, slight soiling, and some creasing to the wrappers. Pencil inscription and pencil markings on the recto of the front free endpaper. Some small creasing of the top inner and outer corners throughout, not affecting the content. Age-appropriate moderate browning of the paper throughout. The text and illustrations are clear and the binding is solid. Overall, a well-preserved copy in very good condition.