Arthur Kolnik – Under The Top Hat Original Edition – Paris, 1934

Arthur Kolnik – Under the Top Hat First Edition – Paris, 1934. A rare and important first edition of Under the Top Hat, a work illustrated by the painter and engraver Arthur Kolnik (1890-1972), published in Paris in 1934 by Éditions “Les Écrivains Réunis.” This major album of 20th-century graphic art comprises 24 original wood engravings, created by Arthur Kolnik during the winter of 1932-1933. As the woodblocks were destroyed after printing, in accordance with the justification of the edition, each printed proof constitutes a definitive and non-reproducible record of the artist's work. The book is preceded by a foreword by Henri Barbusse, a major figure in French literature, who emphasizes the expressive, social, and human power of these compositions, which lie at the intersection of artist's book and graphic manifesto. The printing was completed on June 8, 1934, at the printing works of the Association of Master Printers in Paris, under the direction of E.J. Pouvreau. The set comprises 24 plates with evocative and politically charged titles, such as "The Landlord," "Homeless," "The Patriots," "Jazz," "Golgotha," "The Balance Sheet," and "The Dance," revealing a critical and profoundly expressive vision of interwar society. Print run details: – 20 copies on Imperial Japanese paper, numbered 1 to 20 – 285 copies on vellum, numbered 21 to 305 – 10 copies hors commerce, numbered I to X. The copy presented here is a vellum copy, numbered 49. Loose sheets, large format, complete with its 24 wood engravings. The set is in fine condition, with the natural patina of the period paper. This book is now rare on the market, sought after by both bibliophiles and collectors of modern prints and works associated with the School of Paris. Complete copies of this first edition appear very occasionally in specialist bookstores or at auction. References and Market: This work is listed in several catalogs and databases dedicated to illustrated books and artists of the School of Paris. It is regularly cited as Kolnik's most accomplished and sought-after edition in the field of illustrated books. Comparable copies, when offered for sale by specialist booksellers or in international bibliophile catalogs, fetch significant prices depending on their condition, completeness, and paper quality, confirming the heritage and collectability of this album.