Karl Michel (1889-1984) was a noted graphic designer and expressionist printmaker during Germany's pre-Nazi Weimar Republic (1919-1933). Michel’s work was the subject of a feature article in the influential German graphic design magazine Das Plakat (The Poster) in 1920. An anti-war advocate, Michel created a suite of 12 wood engravings depicting his impressions of the humanitarian toll of WWII entitled ‘Humanitas’ (Humanity). The German publishing house Greifenverlag published the series in a reduced folio of unsigned prints.

Michel’s graphic work is held in the permanent collections of the Auckland War Memorial Museum (New Zealand), Frederikshavn Kunstmuseum & Exlibrissamling (Denmark), Museum of Applied Arts (Budapest), The Robert Gore Rifkind Center for German Expressionist Studies at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the German Expressionism Collection of the Museum of Modern Art (New York).

Viel Gluck 1923 Wunscht der Graphikverlag - J. G. Holzwarth/Bad Rothenfelde- - 1922 Woodcut.

Edition 25, Signed, dated and numbered op. 135d and 20/20 in pencil. Signed in the image, lower left. Annotated Vorgesdruck [artist’s proof] in pencil.

Image size 5 x 3 1/2 inches (127 x 89 mm); sheet size 6 5/8 x 5 7/8 inches (168 x 149 mm).

A fine, black impression, with full margins (1 3/16 to 3 3/4 inches) on heavy cream Japan, in excellent condition. With the artist's blindstamp in the top left margin. Printed by the artist.

New Year's Greeting - Title translation: Good Luck Wishes for 1923 from the Graphic Publishing House - J. J. Holzwath/Bad Rothenfelde.

$300.

Elisabeth- - 1923, Woodcut.

Edition 20. Signed, dated and numbered op.142b and 12/20 in pencil. Signed in the block, lower left. Annotated Vorgesdruck [artist’s proof] in pencil.

Image size 4 15/16 x 6 inches (131 x 152 mm); sheet size 10 x 6 inches (254 x 152 mm).

A fine, black impression, with full margins (1 3/16 to 3 1/2 inches), on heavy buff Japan paper, in excellent condition. With the artist's blind stamp in the bottom center margin, above the impression number. Printed by the artist.

$400.

Ex Libris Dr. Wiltropp - Homunculus und Galatee- - 1923, Etching.

Edition not stated but small. Signed, dated and numbered Op. 140 in pencil. Signed in the plate, lower right.

Image size 6 1/8 x 4 inches (155 x 102 mm); sheet size 8 7/8 x 6 inches (225 x 152 mm).

A fine, richly-inked impression, with full margins (3/4 to 1 7/8 inches), on off-white laid paper, in excellent condition. Printed by the artist.

Ex Libris for Dr. Witropp, depicting the Greek mythological characters Homunculus and Galatee.

$350.

Viel Gluck 1923 Wunscht Karl Michel- - 1923, Etching.

Edition not stated but small. Signed, dated and numbered op. 136 in pencil.

Image size 6 3/8 x 4 5/8 inches (162 x 117 mm); sheet size 9 3/4 x 6 3/4 inches (248 x 171 mm).

A fine impression, with full margins (1 to 2 3/8 inches), on cream wove paper, in excellent condition. Printed by the artist.

New Year's Greeting - Translation: Good Luck Wishes for 1923 from Karl Michel - Berlin Teltower Str. 33.

$350.

Venus Ex Libris - Hanns u. Herta Heeren- - 1923, Woodcut.

Edition not stated but small. Signed, dated and numbered op. 154 in pencil. Signed in the block, lower left.

Image size 5 15/16 x 4 inches (156 x 102 mm); sheet size 9 5/8 x 6 inches (254 x 152).

A fine impression, with full margins (15/16 to 2 11/16 inches), on cream Japan paper, in excellent condition. Printed by the artist.

$300.

Dr. Walter Vogel - Exlibris der Exlibrissammlung- - 1924, Woodcut.

Edition not statedbut small. Signed in the block, lower right. Signed, dated and numbered op.180 in pencil.

Image size 7 1/16 x 4 3/16 inches (181 x 107 mm); sheet size 10 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches (267 x 192 mm).

A fine, black impression, with full margins (1 3/8 to 1 7/8 inches), on flecked buff laid paper, in excellent condition. Printed by the artist.

Translation: Dr. Walter Vogel - Exlibris of the Exlibris Collection.

$300.

Ex Libris Verein - Ich bin das 34 Ste, 13.4.24 den Teilnehmern am 34 Stiftungsfeste- - 1924, Etching.

Edition not stated but small. Signed, dated, and numbered op.167 in pencil. Signed and dated in the plate, lower right.

Image size 6 15/16 x 3 7/16 inches (176 x 88 mm); sheet size 9 3/4 x 6 3/4 inches (248 x 171 mm).

A fine impression, with full margins (1 1/4 to 1 5/8 margins), on cream wove paper, in excellent condition. Printed by the artist.

Translation: Ex Libris Club - I am the 34th page, 13.4.24. Participant of the 34th Foundation Celebration.

$300.

Frohes 1924 Hans u. Trudes Bauersachs- - 1924, Woodcut.

Edition not stated but small. Signed, dated and numbered Op. 161 in pencil. Signed in the block, lower right.

Image size 3 5/8 x 2 7/78 inches (92 x 73 mm); sheet size 9 5/8 x 5 7/8 inches (245 x 149 mm).

A fine, black impression, with margins (1 3/8 to 2 3/8 inches), on cream Japan paper, in excellent condition. Printed by the artist

New Years Greeting - Translation: Happy 1924 Hans and Trude Bauersachs.

$350.

Frohes Fest Wuenscht - Karl Michel / Berlin S. W. Teltowerstr. 33- - 1924, Woodcut.

Edition 20. Signed, dated and numbered op. 182 and 7/20 in pencil. Signed in the block, center right.

Image size 7 7/8 x 4 1/4 inches (201 x 108 mm); sheet size 9 15/16 x 7 5/8 inches (258 x 195 mm).

A fine, black impression, with full margins (1 3/8 to 2 3/8 inches) on buff wove paper, in excellent condition. Printed by the artist.

Holiday Greeting Card - Translation: Wishing you a Happy Holiday.

SOLD

Austellung Karl Michel- - 1924, Woodcut.

Edition 20. Signed, dated, and numbered op. 173 and 7/20 in pencil.

Image size 6 x 4 inches (152 x 102 mm); sheet size 8 1/16 x 5 1/2 inches (205 x 140 mm).

A fine impression, with full margins (3/4 to 1 1/4 inches) on heavy off-white Japan, in excellent condition. Printed by the artist.

An exhibition announcement with the German copy in block: Deutsches Buchmuseum Leipzig/Zeitzer str 12, Berlin S. W. 61 Teltower str 33 "Buchschmuck/ Plakate/ Anzeige/ Schultzmark/ Illustrations/ Ex Libris." Translation: Karl Michel Exhibition - German Bookmuseum, Leipzig Zeitzer St. 12, Berlin S.W. 61 Teltower St. 33. Book Decoration / Posters / Announcements / Illustrations / Ex Libris."

$350.

Der Gartner (The Gardener)- -cc. 1925, Woodcut.

Edition 50. Signed, titled and numbered 15/50 in pencil. Signed in the block, lower left and right.

Image size 5 1/4 x 3 7/8 inches (133 x 98 mm); sheet size 10 x 7 3/4 inches (254 x 198 mm).

A fine, black impression, with full margins (1 1/2 to 2 3/4 inches), on buff wove paper, in excellent condition. Printed by the artist.

$375.

1876 - 1926, Viel Glueck - Wuenscht Karl Michel- - 1926, Woodcut.

Edition 20. Signed, dated and numbered op. 200 and 18/20 in pencil. Signed in the block, lower left. Annotated Vorgesdruck [artist's proof] in pencil. With the artist's blind stamp in the bottom center margin, above the impression number.

Image size 5 3/8 x 3 3/8 inches (137 x 86 mm); sheet size 10 1/8 x 7 5/8 inches (257 x 195 mm).

A fine black impression, with full margins (2 1/8 to 2 5/8 inches) on buff wove paper, in excellent conditioth the artist's blindstamp in the bottom center margin. Printed by the artist.

50th Year Greeting Card - Translation: 1876 - 1926, Good Luck Wishes from Karl Michel.

$250.

Hallelujah - Frohes Fest - Karl Michel u. Frau- - 1927, Woodcut.

Edition not stated but small. Signed and dated in pencil. Signed in the image, lower right.

Image size 7 x 5 1/8 inches (179 x 140 mm); sheet size 10 1/4 x 7 1/2 inches (260 x 192 mm).

A fine, black impression, with full margins (1 1/16 to 1 1/2 inches), on cream wove paper, in excellent condition. Printed by the artist.

Holiday Greeting Card - Translation: Hallelujah - Happy Holidays from Karl Michel and his Wife.

Collection: Museum of Applied Arts (Budapset)

$300.

Es Ist Ein Ros’ Entsprungen –– Frohes Fest - Karl Michel U. Frau- - 1928, Woodcut.

Edition 20. Signed and numbered op. 223 and 14/20 in pencil. Signed in the image, lower right.

Image size 6 3/4 x 4 15/16 inches (171 x 131 mm); sheet size 10 1/8 x 17 5/8 inches (257 x 448 mm).

A fine, black impression, with full margins (1 3/16 to 1 1/2 inches), on cream wove paper, in excellent condition. Printed by the artist.

Holiday Greeting Card - Translation: It is a Blossoming Rose, Happy Holidays - Karl Michel and his Wife. From a line of a popular German Christmas carol.

$300.

Herzlichen Gluckwunsch Karl Michel - 21 x 2 x 1880 - 21 x 2 1930, “50”- - 1930, Woodcut.

Edition 20. Signed and numbered Vorgedragen (artist’s proof) 14/20 and op. 246 in pencil.

Image size 5 1/4 x 4 inches (133 x 102 mm); sheet size 19 1/8 x 7 5/8 inches (485 x 195 mm).

A fine, black impression, with full margins (1 3/4 x 2 5/8 inches), on heavy buff Japan paper, in excellent condition. Printed by the artist.

50th year Greeting - Translation: Wishing Heartfelt Luck - Karl Michel.

$250.

Ex Libris Otto A. R. Cantzler (Ubersee/Industrie - Schriftstellerei)- - c.1930, Etching.

Edition not stated but small. Signed in the plate, lower left.

Image size 5 3/4 x 3 3/4 inches (146 x 95 mm); sheet size 8 7/8 x 6 inches (225 x 152 mm)

A fine, richly-inked impression, with full margins (1 to 2 inches), on cream wove paper, in excellent condition. Printed by the artist.

Translation: Overseas/Industry – Writing

Collection: Frederikshavn Kunstmuseum & Exlibrissamling (Denmark)

$250.

Wicht Wie Ich Will Sondern Wie Du Wilst- - c.1930, Woodcut.

Edition 50. Signed and numbered 16/50 in pencil. Signed in the block, lower right.

Image size 6 1/8 x 4 3/4 inches (155 x 121 mm); sheet size 10 x 7 3/4 inches (254 x 198 mm).

A fine, black impression, with full margins (1 5/16 to 2 1/4 inches), on buff heavy Japan, in excellent condition. Printed by the artist.

Translation: However you will, I will yield.

$300.

Viel Arbeit 1932 – Nun ist’s Genug, Karl Michel u. Frau- - 1932, Woodcut.

Edition not stated. Signed in pencil. Signed in the block, lower left.

Image size 5 1/8 x 3 15/16 inches (130 x 100 mm); sheet size 8 1/8 x 6 inches (206 x 152 mm).

A fine, black impression, with full margins (1 5/8 x 3 inches) on buff Japan, in excellent condition. Printed by the artist.

New Years Greeting - Translation: Plenty of work in 1932 – Now its enough, Karl Michel and wife.

$300.