Faust (1925)

Designs by Harry Clarke

 

 

 

A rare copy of Goethe's Faust illustrated by Harry Clarke and printed in Great Britain by Walter Lewis at the University Press, Cambridge, in 1925.

That pressing included the 2000 copy Limited Edition that was prepared for the British and United States markets. For the British market, the edition credits publication to George G Harrap and Company, Ltd (London) while for the United States market, the publishing citation was ascribed to Dingwall-Rock Limited (New York).

This copy shows the original unassuming and unadorned grey cloth cover.

Research indicates that the copy held within the Collection was formerly owned by the renowned composer, music historian and Handel scholar, Jacob Coopersmith (1903-1968). Coopersmith has been credited with reconstructing Handel's Messiah following many years of research. Following his death, portions of his collection relating to Handel have since held by the University of Michigan, the Peabody Conservatory of Music and the University of Maryland.

 

To the left, we show Harry Clarke's

exquisitely detailed title page to Faust.

 

 

 

On the right, we show Clarke's signature

to one of the 2000 copies from the

Limited Edition of Faust.

 

 

Goethe's rendition of Faust is the most known version of Faustian literature. It is composed as a play, but belongs to

the genre of "Closet Drama", indicating that, rather than being performed, it is meant to be read. The main characters

include: Faust (a character that has been linked to both the historical life of Johann Georg Faust and Bidermann's

Legend of the Doctor of Paris); Mephistopheles; Gretchen (Faust's love); Marthe (Gretchen's neighbour); Valentin

(Gretchen's brother); and Wagner (Faust's famulus). Faust tells the story of what follows from a wager between

Mephistopheles and God the results in the arch-villain trying to deflect God's favourite human - Faust - who is striving

to learn everything that can be known, away from righteous pursuits.

 

Clarke's contribution to this edition of Faust is reminiscent of his darker illustrations - most noticeably those he contributed

to Tales of Mystery and Imagination - but move beyond the horrific to the outright weird. Stylistically, the work is both

superb and - historically - an important influence on the psychedelic that became well known during the 1960s.

 

 

Our Greeting Cards and Reproduction Prints

 

 

For connoisseurs of Clarke's work, we have prepared sets of 8 Greeting Cards displaying colour images from his designs for Faust and on the left, we show an example of how these Greeting Cards appear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Code: HC F CS(8)
Price: US$40.00

 

Similarly, we have prepared sets of 8 Greeting Cards displaying the major photogravure images from Clarke's designs for Faust and on the right, we show an example of how these Greeting Cards appear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Code: HC F PS(8)
Price: US$40.00

 

Also, we have prepared sets of 6 Greeting Cards displaying the major monotone images from Clarke's designs for Faust and on the left, we show an example of how these Greeting Cards appear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Code: HC F MS(6)
Price: US$30.00

 

When presented on Greeting Cards, these images are prepared as tipped-on plates - in hommage to the hand-crafted

approach typical of prestige illustrated publications produced in the early decades of the 20th Century. Each card is

hand-finished, with the image presented on Ivory card stock (in the case of the colour illustrations) or White card stock

(in the case of the photogravure and monotone illustrations) with an accompanying envelope. On the rear of each card

we also present some information about Harry Clarke and the profiled illustration. We have left the interior of the cards

blank so that you may write your own personal message.

 

Each of our large format reproductions are prepared with archival quality materials and processes to ensure many years

of enjoyment. In addition, our reproductions are accompanied by explanatory material relating to Harry Clarke and the

profiled illustration.

 

To purchase, simply click on the appropriate "Add to Cart" button and you will be taken through to our Shopping Cart

secured through PayPal. Multiple purchases will be consolidated by that feature and shipping and handling costs to any

destination in the world are accommodated by our flat-rate fee of US$20 for every US$200 worth of purchases.

 

Of course, should you wish to discuss some customised options, we welcome your contact on any matter through

ThePeople@SpiritoftheAges.com.

 

In the meantime, enjoy perusing these wonderful examples of the art of Harry Clarke.

 

 

The colour illustrations

 

Frontispiece

Dearest and best, with my whole heart

I love thee.

 

 

Faust's Study

Is there anything in my poor power to

serve you?

Auerbach's Cellar in Leipzig

Clustering grapes invite the hand.

Witch's Kitchen

Methinks, a million fools in choir are

raving and will never tire.

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: HC F C1 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: HC F C2 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: HC F C3 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: HC F C4 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Evening

Drest thus, I seem a different creature!

Walpurgis Night's Dream; or,

The Gold Bridal of Oberon

and Titania

I'll fly from this place, with one bound,

To Hell, or anywhere, to leave 'em.

 

 

Night - Open Plain

Forward! Forward! - Faster! Faster!

Prison

Come - she is judged!

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: HC F C5 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: HC F C6 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: HC F C7 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: HC F C8 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The photogravure illustrations

 

Before the Gate

Methinks he draws light magic

threads around us.

Faust's Study

Something like reason in all this -

winning the household through the

wife.

 

 

Witch's Kitchen

Now Heavenly fair the form that

shines in this enchanted glass!

The Garden

With ladies can you think that

I would jest?

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: HC F P1 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: HC F P2 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: HC F P3 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: HC F P4 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

At the Well

And who my wound can heal,

And who the pain can feel?

 

 

Night

Already is the cry of murder raised.

Walpurgis Night

On to the brocken the witches

are flocking.

(I)

Walpurgis Night

On to the brocken the witches

are flocking.

(II)

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: HC F P5 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: HC F P6 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: HC F P7 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: HC F P8 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The major monotone illustrations

 

The Street

Modest she seems, and good and

mild, though something pert was

her reply.

Forest and Cavern

I wish you had something else to

do than thus torment me when

I'm quiet.

Walpurgis Night

Firmly seize the old projections

of the ribbed rock.

Walpurgis Night

On a road like this men

droop and drivel,

While woman goes fearless

and fast to the Devil.

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: HC F M1 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: HC F M2 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: HC F M3 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: HC F M4 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

   

A Gloomy Day - A Plain

Ay! Roll the Devil eyes

furiously in thy head!

 

 

Prison

Does not Death lurk without?

   

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: HC F M5 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: HC F M6 12x18
Price: US$60.00