Topičův sborník literární a umělecký - Complete Art and Literature Yearbook - Prague 1914–1915

A complete bound volume of Topičův sborník literární a umělecký, a Czech literary and artistic review published by F. Topič in Prague. This second volume was published from 1914 to 1915 and contains all twelve issues, published during the first years of the First World War.

Topičův sborník brought together literature and visual arts in a richly produced cultural review. The contents include Czech and translated poetry and prose, essays, art and cultural history, theatre, music, photography, and chronicles. Among the authors and subjects included are Friedrich Nietzsche, Leo Tolstoy, Jan Hus, Božena Němcová, J. S. Machar, Adolf Heyduk, and Jaroslav Vrchlický.

Particularly attractive is the extensive visual section edited by the Czech painter Rudolf Vejrych. Numerous works of art are reproduced throughout the volume, including several separately presented color illustrations on dark mounting paper. Represented among others are T. F. Šimon, Alois Kalvoda, Mikoláš Aleš, Osvald Blažíček, Jaroslav Věšín, Jakub Obrovský, and Václav Brožík. In addition, the volume contains black-and-white reproductions after artists such as Jan Steen and Alphonse de Neuville, as well as various photographic images.

The volume was published in Prague in 1914–1915, when the city was part of the Kingdom of Bohemia within Austria-Hungary. Thus, the book forms not only a comprehensive overview of the Czech literature and visual arts of its time, but also a tangible cultural document from the early period of the First World War.

The entire volume is bound in a plain black cloth cover with a more elaborately decorated gold-stamped spine, featuring the title and “Roč. II 1914–15”. Despite being over a century old, the book is in remarkably well-preserved and sturdy condition.

Details:

• Title: Topičův sborník literární a umělecký
• Translated title: Topič's literary and artistic collection
• Volume: Ročník II
• Period: 1914–1915
• Extent: complete magazine volume, issues 1–12
• Publisher: F. Topič
• Place of publication: Prague
• Historical origin: Kingdom of Bohemia, Austria-Hungary
• Printer: Unie, Prague
• Editors: Jaromír Borecký, Adolf Wenig, and Rudolf Vejrych
• Visual editor: Rudolf Vejrych
• Language: Czech
• Subjects: literature, poetry, prose, visual arts, culture, history, theatre, and photography
• Illustrations: numerous black-and-white and color reproductions
• Artists: among others T. F. Šimon, Alois Kalvoda, Mikoláš Aleš, Osvald Blažíček, Jaroslav Věšín, Jakub Obrovský, and Václav Brožík
• Authors mentioned: among others Friedrich Nietzsche, Leo Tolstoy, J. S. Machar, Adolf Heyduk, and Jaroslav Vrchlický
• Binding: black cloth hardcover
• Spine: gold-stamped title and decoration
• Edges: natural
• Endpapers: plain
• Dimensions: approx. 24.5 × 19 cm
• Thickness: approx. 5.5 cm
• Period designation: antique, early 20th century
• Historical period: First World War / Austria-Hungary

Condition:
Good to very good antique condition. The black cloth cover shows slight superficial signs of wear and age, but is sturdy and well-bound to the text block. The gold stamping on the spine is beautifully preserved. The interior shows normal slight yellowing of the paper and occasional minor signs of age. The illustrated art plates are remarkably fresh and the colors are well preserved. The complete magazine volume with issues 1–12 is present.