Two-volume copy of Die Fläche – priced €68,000 at Michael Steinbach.
Steinbach launched his business in Munich in 1972 but since 2009 has dealt from the Austrian capital – his hometown – where he continues to specialise in books, particularly those relating to Vienna, Austria, Spain and Japan, as well as “interesting and uncommon” books of all fields.
A highlight of the new catalogue, 50 years – 50 books, is a rare twovolume copy of Die Fläche (The Surface), a Viennese graphic arts periodical featuring the work of artists associated with the Wiener Werkstätte – Berthold Löffler, Gustav Klimt and Koloman Moser among them.
The first volume was published in 1903-04 by Felician Baron Myrbach and the second volume, in two parts, in 1910 by Berthold Löffler in association with Anton Schroll & Co.
They contained a total of 124 pages of contemporary applications of graphic design with examples of poster art, books, wallpaper, textiles, stained glass, inlay, embroidery, monograms, business cards and costume jewellery.
“Die Fläche is for decorative art as important as Ver Sacrum is for graphic art and literature”, says Steinbach, who adds that complete copies are never offered on the market.
This almost complete copy, missing only 12 plates, is priced at €68,000.
