Alphonse Mucha - Letem Českým Světem - 1898

Mucha, Alphonse- Letem českým světem - Iconic Art Nouveau Oblong Folio Binding - 1898

Condition:
The book is in overall very good and nicely preserved condition, and the emotional and tactile impression of this volume is truly beautiful. The original publisher's full-cloth binding shows only minor spotting, the corners of the boards are slightly rubbed and frayed, and the surface displays light light scratches, which is common for such a massive and heavy volume; all details and specific imperfections are fully documented in the attached photographs. The internal book block remains sound and tightly bound, the leaves carry a light natural patina, ensuring that Mucha's lithographed artwork on the front cover remains clean, bold, and visually striking.

This is an exceptionally rare and highly collectible monumental photo-book, “Letem českým světem” (A Flight Over the Czech World), published in Prague in 1898 by the prestigious publisher Jos. R. Vilímek. The large-format volume contains a comprehensive archive of 500 full-page black-and-white documentary photographs showcasing the historical architecture, landscapes, cities, and traditional folklore of Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, and Slovakia at the close of the 19th century. The ultimate artistic and collector's value of this work lies in its iconic Art Nouveau full-cloth binding designed by the world-famous master Alphonse Mucha (1860–1939), with the front cover serving as one of Mucha's most celebrated achievements in applied book graphic design featuring his signature allegorical female figure.

The massive volume is printed in an oblong folio format (approx. 28.5 x 35.5 cm) on heavy, high-quality paper stock with detailed accompanying text descriptions for each depicted location. It is highly sought after on the international art market both as an important historical topographical source and, primarily, as a prime example of Art Nouveau book binding. Due to the substantial weight (approx. 3.5 kg) and dimensions of this publication, copies surviving with such a well-preserved original Mucha-designed cover are becoming increasingly scarce.