Primeurs (The Firstling) [Original linocut prints folder]

Arlekiin, [Tartu], 1920. Soft cover. Limited edition. Thick brown paper wraps 32 x 24,5 cm, 10 original linocut prints on 9 unbound leaves 28 x 22 cm. Inscribed by author. Nearfine condition; wraps show soft edge- and corner creasing, darkening of the bottom edge and very light trace of moisture on the upper right corner of front wrapper; prints are in perfect condition.

The folder of ten linocut prints on nine unbound leaves produced by Estonian painter and printmaker Aleksander Mülber (1897-1931), who was unique and talented artist of Ants Laikmaa Atelier School. During his study he created paintings in national romanticism style, later turned to Expressionism. In aerly 1920s, being inspired by leading avant-gardist Ado Vabbe, Mülber turned to cubo-futurism. In 1921 already well-known artist moved to Paris there spent the last years of his life without achieving any success. Today little remains of his artworks.

Inspired and, probably, supported by Ado Vabbe, Mülber was the only artist not belonging to the Pallas Art School and Pallas Society circle, priveleged to publish own prints folder. The folder under the title "Primeurs" was published in 1920 by small and the most innovative publishing house of the time Arkekiin (Harlequin), to which A. Vabbe also contributed with its logo (on the back wrapper of the current folder) and several book covers designs. Arlekiin was active in 1920 and in 1925 years and published only 9 books with very limited print run (max 500 copies). This set of linocuts prints combines cubo-futurist style with expressionist themes, depicting a variety of compositions - natural motifs, human images, urban rhythms, small powerful decorative prints (ex-librises), even interpretation of the War of Independence monument (Man with a Sword).

Extremely rare and valuable. Very limited print run of approximately 150 copies.