Blæksprutten [The Cuttlefish]: (27 volumes, 1889-1974)

Kjøbenhavn [Denmark]: (Ernst Bojesen / Gyldendalske Boghandel), (1889-1974).

Price: $2,000.00

Softcover. A collection of 27 volumes of this Danish satirical magazine, famous for its color lithographic covers and cartoons. Oblong quartos. Text in Danish. The set includes six scarce early issues in contemporary marbled paper-covered boards with the original wrappers bound in (1889, 1896, 1898, 1902, 1903, and 1912); and 21 loose issues in wrappers (1914-17, 1919-20, 1922-34, 1947 and 1974). Rubbing, scattered nicks and short tears to the edges of the marbled boards and wrap edges, the front wrap of the 1889 issue is detached, the 1915 and 1919 issues lack both wraps, else about very good overall. From the library of Ole Risom, author of *I Am a Bunny*, and an important publisher of children's books at Golden Books Western Press and Random House. Most issues are inscribed to either Ole or his brother Jens Risom from their grandfather. The set also includes one volume (1896) that belonged to Axel Henriques, one of Blaeksprutten's leading writers, with his name stamped in gilt on the front board.

The 25 volumes from 1889 through 1934 feature many classic color covers and cartoons by Axel Thiess, Alfred Schmidt, Hans Bendix, Herluf Jensenius, and Poul Fischer, with most of the text written by Axel Henriques and Anton Melbye. All five artists were renowned for their delightfully fresh and provocative cartoons (showing what life was really like), exhibiting a striking satiric wit and style very much influenced by the great lithographs of Honoré Daumier. Among the many highlights are Axel Thiess's signature Cuttlefish cover from 1889 and Dancing Polar Bears cover of 1896, and Hans Bendix's "Hjem fra Skole" [Home from School] from 1928 (showing the corrupting effects of Josephine Baker's immorality on respectable Danish society). Ole Risom was born in Copenhagen and fled Nazi-occupied Denmark for the United States in 1940. After the war he soon became influential in launching the careers of many young artists, and developed a close working relationship with Richard Scarry. Laid-in is a TLS from Risom in Danish (on Random House stationary, dated August 17, 1993). A compelling collection of many early loose issues in unique marbled boards and wrappers, with a nice association.


Item #384937

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Item #384937 Blæksprutten [The Cuttlefish]: (27 volumes, 1889-1974). Axel THIESS Hans BENDIX, Anton MELBYE, Axel HENRIQUES, Herluf Jensenius, Poul FISCHER, Alfred SCHMIDT.
Blæksprutten [The Cuttlefish]: (27 volumes, 1889-1974)
Blæksprutten [The Cuttlefish]: (27 volumes, 1889-1974)
Blæksprutten [The Cuttlefish]: (27 volumes, 1889-1974)
Blæksprutten [The Cuttlefish]: (27 volumes, 1889-1974)
Blæksprutten [The Cuttlefish]: (27 volumes, 1889-1974)
Blæksprutten [The Cuttlefish]: (27 volumes, 1889-1974)
Blæksprutten [The Cuttlefish]: (27 volumes, 1889-1974)
Blæksprutten [The Cuttlefish]: (27 volumes, 1889-1974)
Blæksprutten [The Cuttlefish]: (27 volumes, 1889-1974)