Jakob Haringer / [Josef Achmann] (illustrations) - Die Kammer - 1921-1921

Die Kammer – Jakob Haringer / [Josef Achmann] (illustrations)

Regensburg: Franz Ludwig Habbel, 1921. [2], 62 pages. 18cm x 12.5cm. Hardcover with quarter leather binding, blue patterned paper-covered boards, a gilt lettered label on the spine, and gilt top edge. First. limited, and numbered edition of this exceptionally rare volume of Expressionist poetry by the nomadic German poet Jakob Haringer (Johann Franz Albert), this being No. 25 of 100 copies issued, printed on wood-free paper, and signed by the author. Published in 1921 by Franz Ludwig Habbel in Regensburg, Die Kammer (The Chamber) is a premier artifact of late German Expressionism (Spätexpressionismus), limited to a highly restricted print run with each copy individually numbered in the colophon. This slim volume features a striking, raw woodcut title page (Holzschnitt-Titel) explicitly hand-carved for this launch by the acclaimed avant-garde graphic artist Josef Achmann, a central figure of the Die Sichel artist circle. The texts contained within represent Haringer's characteristically intense psychological style, pivoting dramatically between stark religious devotion, biting social isolation, and radical wanderer aesthetics. An extraordinarily scarce survival of post-WWI radical print culture, highly coveted by collectors specializing in early 20th-century European avant-garde literature.
Some rubbing, bumping, and wear to the boards and spine, and small damage to the leather at the top and bottom of the spine (see photos). Pencil markings on the recto of the front free endpaper and on the back pastedown endpaper. Pages 29-32 are still uncut, and they have some creasing and small damage in the bottom margin, not affecting the content. Only little browning and spotting throughout. The text and the illustration are clear and the binding is solid. Overall, a handsome copy in very good condition.