Van Offel Stan Constant (1 results)

Softcover. Condition: vg- to near fine. Limited first edition. 1/250. Small folio. 2 pages of text + 24 loose plates. Housed in a tan paper folder, inside a grey paper portfolio, with black lettering and a small image of a skull on the front cover of the portfolio. This is copy #132, of 200 printed on English yard paper from a total limited edition of 250 copies, numbered on the colophon (interior rear cover of the folder). This scarce portfolio is comprised of a series of 24 images forming a satirical danse macabre based on the alphabet, by Belgian artist Constant (Stan) Van Offel (18851924). Each figure represented is organized as corresponding to its letter of the alphabet, i.e. the first plate is "Actor", and includes poetic text captions, explicating the image. All plates are b/w woodblock prints, and show various figures of the period, including characters from civil society, members of the clergy, military figures, royalty, artists, and personality types. For some reason the series does not have plates corresponding to the letters "x" and "y", as issued. This portfolio was Van Offel's final work, and as stated in the introduction, it was published posthumously in the year after his death. Introductory text by Belgian poet and engraver Gregoire le Roy (1862-1941). Text in French. Portfolio with minor stains and smudges to the covers, as well as some light creasing and rubbing to extremities. The interior joints and flaps of the portfolio, and the interior gutter of the tan folder have been reinforced with japan tissue. Folder and initial text pages with minor foxing. Plates clean throughout. Portfolio in very good, folder in very good-, plates in near fine condition overall. Portfolio and folder protected in modern mylar. Quite scarce. Alternate title: L'Alphabet Macabre de Stan Van Offel.