?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 8,000 - $ 12,000
DESIGNER UNKNOWN SCHACHKONGRESS. 1930. 34x24 inches. Kaiserslautern. Condition B+: restored loss at bottom margin; minor foxing in right margin; horizontal fold. Framed. A magnificent Art Deco image, in metallic silver and black, for a chess congress in Germany's Palatinate. Held over Easter, the organizers invited the world's leading chess player, Alexander Aljechin. Also in attendance was Karl Ahues, the German chess master. Aljechin was born in Moscow and emigrated to Paris. He was world chess champion from 1927-1935 and then again from 1937-1946. As was customary at these Chess Meetings, the "distinguished guest" would show off his prowess by engaging in a demonstration in which he would play many games at the same time. Here the world master is "shown" playing from one board to another. In this particular image, he is deep into his opponent's field and putting tremendous pressure on his king. The event was held on Karsamstag (Easter Saturday). Printed in Kaiserslautern where the match was held, this piece would have had very small distribution. It is not only an exceptional chess document, but a phenomenal work of graphic art as well.
