Faust. Eine Tragödie von Goethe / A Tragedy of Goethe Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

DESCRIPTION: Small folio 15 3/4 x 10 1/2 inches (38 x 26.5 cm). No. 186 of the 200 deluxe copies, total edition of 600. 79 unnumbered pages of text written in calligraphy with a stunning full-page multi-colored, gold-illuminated frontispiece. Decorative border strips and initial letters with hand-colored titles, all heightened in gold throughout the text. Full pigskin leather binding, five raised bands, embossed designs around the bands, embossed ruling on covers and titling on spine. Signed by the calligrapher/artist Johann Holtz in the colophon. Original German language / Deutsche sprache. Book is protected with an archival clear Grafix Dura Lar dust wrapper, then housed in a custom slipcase in hand-marbled paper. CONDITION: Without writing or ex-libris, text block square and firm, all hinges (internal and external) intact. Text pages in fine condition without toning or foxing. Leather binding with three-sided band (approximately 1 inch wide) of slight darkening on both covers, few minor stains on rear cover. Without rubbing or drying of leather. DISCUSSION: This is a facsimile edition an an extraordinary work of calligraphy and hand-illumination by Johann Holtz, one of the finest European calligraphers of his time. It is similar in quality to the work of Alberto Sangorski in Great Britain in the early part of the twentieth century. Following completion of the original by Holtz, this work was reissued in a deluxe facsimile edition by the Graphische Kunstanstalt (Graphics Art Institute) of Paul Bender in Zollikon/Zurich, Switzerland. This is the deluxe "A" edition on only 200 copies printed on a handmade Pergamentpapier made by J. W. Zanders, then issued in a full pigskin leather binding. NOTE: This is a large, heavy book and international shipping cost to the United Kingdom and Europe is $60 U.S. dollars.