(KLIMT, GUSTAV / VIENNA SECESSION). Ver Sacrum. 12 issues (including Sonderheft) for 1898. Lithographs, color and black-and-white plates, and illustrations by Gustav Klimt, Koloman Moser, Josef Hoffmann, Max Liebermann, Alfred Roller, and numerous other artists. Small thin folios, original pictorial wrappers, mostly all in good condition, though spines perished on Volumes 1 and 10 with contents separating, others with light rubbing, scattered toning and light soiling to a few wrappers, mostly rear covers; original 1/4 calf portfolio with stamped spine and cover image of Alfred Roller's tree design (from Vol. 1 cover), small bookseller's ticket on lower front cover, scattered wear (see condition report). Vienna: Gerlach und Schenk, 1898
in original parts. Ver Sacrum (Sacred Spring) was the official publication of the Vereinigung Bildender Künstler Österreichs, the group responsible for the Vienna Secession movement. It was published between 1898 and 1903; after 1900 it became a publication for members only. The contributors provided artwork for the magazine's covers and also took editorial responsibility. From the outset Ver Sacrum was one of the most prestigious and influential periodicals of the time. In addition to the Viennese artists Gustav Klimt, Koloman Moser, Josef Hoffmann, Josef Maria Olbrich, Alfred Roller, and Sandor Rosenfeld, foreign artists such as Alphonse Mucha and Fernand Khnopff also designed covers. The articles were written by important literary figures of the day. The magazine reported on activities of the Secession Movement and published special issues dedicated to major artists or special subjects, such as Japanese Art.
