City Lights - - 1934, Wood Engraving.

Edition 200. Signed, titled Lights, and annotated No 2/200 for Howard M. Chapin in pencil. Initialed in the block, lower right.

Image size 6 1/8 x 4 3/4 inches (156 x 121 mm), sheet size 9 3/8 x 7 1/4 inches (238 x 184 mm).

A fine, richly-inked black impression, on cream wove paper, with full margins (1 1/4 to 1 7/8 inches); a small loss (5/8 inch) in the top right sheet corner, well away from the image, otherwise in excellent condition. Printed by Ernest Roth.

One of four early, self-published wood engravings representing Fritz Eichenberg's first impressions of New York City as an immigrant in 1933, at the height of the depression. He recalls the period ..."exciting safaris into downtown Manhattan, my first ride on the infernal Seventh Avenue Subway, observations of life on the stoops and fire escapes of little Italy, in the streets of Harlem and Williamsburg, visits to the Aquarium and the speakeasies, and the sight of the ominous breadlines of the Bowery...".

Literature: Representing America: The Ken Trevey Collection of American Realist Prints, University of California, Santa Barbara, 1995.

Collections: Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Binghampton University Art Museum, David Owsley Museum of Art, Museum of the City of New York, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Pratt Institute, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Rhode Island School of Design, Terra Foundation for American Art.

$1600.

The Steps - - 1934, Wood Engraving.

Edition 200, a proof before the numbered edition. Signed in pencil. Initialed in the block, lower right.

Image size 6 1/4 x 4 3/4 inches (159 x 121 mm), sheet size 11 7/8 x 9 inches (302 x 229 mm).

A fine, black impression, on cream wove paper, with full margins (2 1/8 to 3 5/8 inches); slight toning in the outer margins, otherwise in excellent condition. Printed by Ernest Roth.

One of four early, self-published wood engravings representing Fritz Eichenberg's first impressions of New York City as an immigrant in 1933, at the height of the depression. He recalls the period ..."exciting safaris into downtown Manhattan, my first ride on the infernal Seventh Avenue Subway, observations of life on the stoops and fire escapes of little Italy, in the streets of Harlem and Williamsburg, visits to the Aquarium and the speakeasies, and the sight of the ominous breadlines of the Bowery..."

SOLD

The Subway (Sleep) - - 1934, Wood Engraving.

Edition 200, a proof before the numbered edition. Signed in pencil. Initialed in the block, lower right.

Image size 6 1/4 x 4 3/4 inches (159 x 121 mm), sheet size 12 x 9 inches (305 x 229 mm).

A fine, black impression, on cream wove paper, with full margins (2 to 2 7/8 inches); slight toning in the outer margins, otherwise in excellent condition. Printed by Ernest Roth.

One of four early, self-published wood engravings representing Fritz Eichenberg's first impressions of New York City as an immigrant in 1933, at the height of the depression. He recalls the period ..."exciting safaris into downtown Manhattan, my first ride on the infernal Seventh Avenue Subway, observations of life on the stoops and fire escapes of little Italy, in the streets of Harlem and Williamsburg, visits to the Aquarium and the speakeasies, and the sight of the ominous breadlines of the Bowery..."

Reproduced: L’Amérique de la Dépression: Artistes Engagés des Années 30, Musée-Gallerie de la Seita, Paris, 1996; Pressed In Time: American Prints 1905-1950, Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery, San Marino, 2007; The American Scene on Paper; Prints and Drawings from the Schoen Collection, Georgia Museum of Art, University of Georgia, 2008.

Exhibited: Pressed In Time: American Prints 1905-1950, The Huntington Library and Art Gallery, San Marino, 2007-2008.

Collection: Smithsonian American Art Museum (museum purchase)

SOLD

St. Francis Preaching to the Birds - - 1935, Wood Engraving.

Edition none, proofs only. Signed and titled Preaching to the Birds in pencil, signed in the block, lower right.

Image size 7 15/16 x 6 inches (202 x 152 mm); sheet size 11 5/16 x 8 3/4 inches (303 x 222 mm).

A fine, black impression, with full margins (1 1/8 to 1 7/8 inches), on cream wove paper, in excellent condition. Scarce.

Created for the New York City WPA. Ex. collection Audrey McMahon, Director, New York City WPA Art Project.

Collection: NYPL

$800.

The Adventure of Hans Pfaall from The Tales of Edgar Allan Poe

1943, Wood Engraving.

Edition not stated. Signed in pencil.

Image size 5 1/2 x 3 9/16 inches (140 x 90 mm); sheet size 10 3/4 x 8 3/16 inches (273 x 208 mm).

A fine, black impression, with full margins (1 11/16 to 3 9/16 inches), on cream wove paper, in excellent condition.

SOLD

The Black Cat from The Tales of Edgar Allan Poe

1943, Wood Engraving.

Edition not stated. Signed in pencil.

Image size 5 1/2 x 3 9/16 inches (140 x 90 mm); sheet size 10 3/4 x 7 3/8 inches (273 x 187 mm).

A fine, black impression, with full margins (1 7/8 to 3 1/16 inches), on cream wove paper, in excellent condition.

SOLD

A Descent into the Maelstrom from The Tales of Edgar Allan Poe

1943, Wood Engraving.

Edition not stated. Signed in pencil.

Image size 5 1/2 x 3 9/16 inches (140 x 90 mm); sheet size 8 1/4 x 6 inches (210 x 152 mm).

A fine, black impression, with full margins (1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches), on cream wove paper, in excellent condition.

$450.

The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar from The Tales of Edgar Allan Poe

1943, Wood Engraving.

Edition not stated. Signed and annotated E. A. Poe in pencil.

Image size 5 9/16 x 3 9/16 inches (141 x 90 mm); sheet size 10 3/4 x 7 3/8 inches (273 x 187 mm).

A fine, black impression, with full margins (2 to 3 inches), on cream wove paper, in excellent condition.

SOLD

The Imp of the Perverse from The Tales of Edgar Allan Poe

1943, Wood Engraving.

Edition not stated. Signed in pencil.

Image size 5 1/2 x 3 9/16 inches (140 x 90 mm); sheet size 12 x 9 inches (305 x 229 mm).

A fine, black impression, with full margins (2 3/4 to 3 13/16 inches), on cream Japan, in excellent condition.

$450.

The Man of the Crowd from The Tales of Edgar Allan Poe

1943, Wood Engraving.

Edition not stated. Signed in pencil.

Image size 5 1/2 x 3 9/16 inches (140 x 90 mm); sheet size 12 x 9 inches (305 x 229 mm).

A fine, black impression, with full margins (2 1/2 to 3 5/8 inches), on cream Japan, in excellent condition.

SOLD

Mellonta Tauta from The Tales of Edgar Allan Poe

1943, Wood Engraving.

Edition not stated. Signed in pencil.

Image size 5 1/2 x 3 9/16 inches (140 x 90 mm); sheet size 10 3/4 x 8 3/16 inches (273 x 208 mm).

A fine, black impression, with full margins (1 11/16 to 3 9/16 inches), on cream wove paper, in excellent condition.

SOLD

Part II Ornamental Vignette from The Tales of Edgar Allan Poe

1943, Wood Engraving.

Edition not stated. Signed in pencil.

Image size 3 7/8 x 3 3/8 inches (98 x 86 mm); sheet size 9 x 5 15/16 inches (229 x 151 mm).

A fine, rich impression, in brick red ink, with full margins (1 to 2 13/16 inches), on cream Japan, in excellent condition.

$450.

The Sphinx from The Tales of Edgar Allan Poe

1943, Wood Engraving.

Edition not stated. Signed in pencil.

Image size 5 1/2 x 3 9/16 inches (140 x 90 mm); sheet size 9 1/2 x 7 91/16 inches (241 x 192 mm).

A fine, black impression, with full margins (2 inches), on cream Japan, in excellent condition.

SOLD

Renowned for its anti-establishment humor, Encomium Moriae (In Praise of Folly), by Desiderius Erasmus, was first published in 1511. Long fascinated by the writings of Erasmus, Fritz Eichenberg made selections from the Latin for the subjects of this series of graphic works, freely translating them into English as text to accompany his art.

The wood engravings were printed by James Lanier of Aquarius Press, under the supervision of the artist, on hand made Japanese mulberry paper. The texts are set in Monotype Janson, and printed at The Press of A. Colish in Mount Vernon, New York, on Strathmore Impress paper. Typography and design are by Bert Clarke.

III - The Follies of Worshipping Idols - - 1972, Wood Engraving.

Edition 150. Signed in pencil. Signed in the block, lower left.

Image size 18 x 12 inches (457 x 305 mm); sheet size 20 x 13 7/8 inches (508 x 352 mm).

A superb, black impression, on cream Japan, with full margins (13/16 to 1 1/8 inches), in excellent condition. With the accompanying text folder included in the original portfolio.

$550.

V - The Follies of Teaching - - 1972, Wood Engraving.

Edition 150. Signed in pencil. Signed in the block, lower left.

Image size 18 x 11 7/8 inches (457 x 302 mm); sheet size 20 x 13 7/8 inches (508 x 352 mm).

A superb, black impression, on cream Japan, with full margins (13/16 to 1 3/16 inches), in excellent condition. With the accompanying text folder included in the original portfolio.

SOLD.

VIII - The Follies of the Court - - 1972, Wood Engraving.

Edition 150. Signed in pencil. Signed in the block, lower right.

Image size 18 x 11 15/16 inches (457 x 303 mm); sheet size 20 x 13 7/8 inches (508 x 352 mm).

A superb, black impression, on cream Japan, with full margins (7/8 to 1 inch), in excellent condition. With the accompanying text folder included in the original portfolio.

$550.

IX - The Follies of the Popes - - 1972, Wood Engraving.

Edition 150. Signed in pencil. Signed in the block, lower right.

Image size 18 x 12 inches (457 x 305 mm); sheet size 20 x 13 7/8 inches (508 x 352 mm).

A superb, black impression, on cream Japan, with full margins (13/16 to 1 1/8 inches), in excellent condition. With the accompanying text folder included in the original portfolio.

$550.

X - The Follies of War - - 1972, Wood Engraving.

Edition 150. Signed in pencil. Signed in the block, lower right.

Image size 18 x 11 7/8 inches (457 x 302 mm); sheet size 20 x 14 inches (508 x 356 mm).

A superb, black impression, on cream Japan, with full margins (13/16 to 1 1/8 inches), in excellent condition. With the accompanying text folder included in the original portfolio.

SOLD