Musaion. Anthology for Modern Art. Complete Set of Two Volumes.

Musaion. Sborník pro moderní umění [Musaion. Anthology for Modern Art]. Complete Set of Two Volumes.
Praha: Musaion, 1920–1921. 8vo. Original printed wrappers designed by Josef Čapek (Vol. I) and Vlastislav Hofman (Vol. II).

An important and uncommon Czech modernist annual edited by Karel Čapek, issued in only two volumes and bringing together leading figures of the emerging Czechoslovak avant-garde. The publication contains essays, criticism, literature, and original graphic work documenting the formative years of Czech modern art immediately after the First World War.

The first volume retains two of its three original loose graphic supplements: Václav Špála, Podzim [Autumn], original linocut, and Josef Čapek, Harmonikář [Accordion Player], original linocut. The third supplement to Volume I, Vlastislav Hofman’s Maska [Mask], is lacking. Volume II is lacking the graphic supplement by Rudolf Kremlička, Myčky [Washerwomen]. Each volume is preceded by several full-page reproductions, with numerous additional illustrations throughout the text.