Harden, Sylvia von (1894-1963) Die Italienische Gondel, Inscribed Limited Edition Signed by Harden and Otto Dix.
Berlin: Hoboken-Presse, 1927.
First, limited edition, quarto, number 3 of only 5 copies (total of 105 printed) signed by the author and Otto Dix with an additional signed dedication by Harden "Intended for the esteemed Dr. Bulcke and his wonderful wife for Christmas 27," dated December 24, 1927 in ink on the limitation; illustrated with a mounted frontispiece of Dix's iconic 1926 portrait of Sylvia; bound in parchment backed paper boards, gilt stamped green morocco spine label, top edge tinted blue (boards very slightly bowed, section of offsetting to lower endpapers); 9 ¾ x 7 ½.
German journalist and poet Sylvia von Harden's writing and persona inspired Otto Dix to paint her as the "representative of an entire epoch." His portrayal of Sylvia aimed to dismantle conventional assessments of women based solely on their physical appearance, shifting the focus instead to intellectual and psychological traits. The present lot is von Harden's second collection of poetry, first came out in 1920.
It is likely that the "Dr. Bulcke" referred to in the inscription is Dr. Carl Bulcke (1875-1936), a writer and poet who worked as the chairman of the German film supervisory authority until 1924. His best known works are Silke's Love, 1901; A Person Called Balzereit, 1917; and Brave Cassio, 1930; most of which are acclaimed for poignantly realistic descriptions of the lives of young women.
