Visel B9. Sold as part of a complete portfolio of 18 original wood engravings encased in a four-fold portfolio lined with yellow-rust colored linen. 29 in an edition of 50. Signed in pencil lower right: “Fritz Eichenberg”; titled and numbered in pencil lower left: “The First Battle / 29/50”. Signed in block lower right: “Eichenberg”. A fine impression in fine condition with full margins (sheet size: 18 1/2 x 14 inches). Illustration for Johann Jacob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen’s, “The Adventures of Simplicius Simplicissimus,” written in 1669 against the background of the Thirty Years War. Sold as part of a complete portfolio for $8,500.

A complete portfolio of 18 wood engravings, each measuring approximately 14 x 12 inches and printed on a sheet measuring 18 1/2 x 14 inches. All impressions signed, titled, and numbered in pencil (29/50). Of the edition of 50 portfolios, 30 sets contained 18 first proofs plus 18 final proofs, and 20 sets contained only 18 final proofs. Fritz Eichenberg’s own personal copy, with a rare title page hand lettered by the artist: “Grimmelshausen / The / Adventurous / Simplicissimus / with / eighteen / woodblocks / by / Fritz Eichenberg / Engraved on Swiss Pearwood / signed and numbered / 29/50”. Published by the Limited Editions Club, N.Y., 1981. Printed by Harold McGrath, Hampshire Typothetae, Northampton, MA.

The wood engravings bound in this portfolio were designed to illustrate a published edition of “The Adventures of Simplicius Simplicissimus,” of which 2000 copies were made. Limited Editions Club, New York, 1981.

I. The New Phoenix, or Frontispiece (13 7/8 x 11 7/8 in.) / II. The Origins of Simplicius, or Simplicius’ Family Tree (13 7/8 x 11 7/8 in.) / III. The Raid on the Homestead, or The Raid (13 7/8 x 12 in.) / IV. The Death of the Hermit, or the Hermit’s Death (14 x 12 in.) / V. The Drunken Feast, or the Banquet (16 x 12 in.) / VI. The Four Devils in Hell, or A Taste of Hell (14 x 11 7/8 in.) / VII. In Praise of Beauty (14 x 11 7/8 in.) / VIII. The Tree of the Earthly Troubles, or The Tree of Man (14 x 11 7/8 in.) / IX. The Witches’ Dance, or Witches’ Night (14 x 11 7/8 in.) / X. The Devil of Gambling, or A Game of Dice (14 x 11 7/8 in.) / XI. The First Battle (14 x 11 7/8 in.) / XII. The Green Hunter (14 x 11 7/8 in.) / XIII. The Merode Brotherhood, or The Partisans (14 x 11 7/8 in.) / XIV. A Trip to the Center of the Earth, or Visit to the Deep (14 x 11 7/8 in.) / XV. Simplicius’ Farewell to the World (13 7/8 x 11 3/4 in.) / XVI. Extravagance and Avarice, or The Devil’s Tricks (14 x 11 7/8 in.) / XVII. A Pilgrim’s Tall Tales, or Tall Tales (14 x 11 7/8 in.) / XVIII. The End of the Voyage, or Desert Island (14 x 11 7/8 in.).