1916 Czech Cubist Theer Vsemu Navzdory Kalab Jelinek Leather Slipcase Brunner For Sale

OTAKAR THEER — VŠEMU NAVZDORYPrague, 1916 First EditionIconic Czech Cubist Book-and-Slipcase DesignMethod Kaláb • Antonín JelínekHandmade Paper • Brunner Ex Libris

THEER, Otakar. Všemu navzdory: Básně [In Spite of Everything: Poems]. Prague: František Borový, 1916.

First edition. Large octavo, 21 × 17 cm. 66 pp. Third volume in the Knihy Zlatokvětu series. Printed by Grafia, Prague, in an edition of 1,200 copies on handmade paper. Sáňka 298.

A remarkably complete and visually powerful example of early Czech modernist book design: Otakar Theer’s final important poetry collection in its original dark plum leather binding, with matching decorated slipcase, both conceived by the graphic artist and typographer Method Kaláb and executed by the binder Antonín Jelínek.

This is not simply a book in an attractive later binding. Kaláb designed the volume as a total work of graphic art, uniting typography, blind-stamped leather, patterned endpapers, opening vignette, gilt edge, and original protective case into one continuous geometric composition.

Czech Cubism as a complete book object

The dramatic angular pattern is the book’s defining feature. Deeply blind-stamped lines form a faceted, interlaced star motif across the dark plum leather boards. The same broken geometry appears in the original slipcase, rendered in a vivid orange-gold pattern against a dark ground, and continues in related form on the endpapers.

The effect is architectural rather than merely decorative: sharp planes, repeating facets, and symmetrical tension transform the book into an object of Czech Cubist design. Its visual language also anticipates the streamlined geometry of Art Deco.

Všemu navzdory is widely regarded as one of the iconic works of Czech Cubist typography and bookbinding.

Method Kaláb and Antonín Jelínek

Method Kaláb (1885–1963) was a Czech graphic artist, typographer, illustrator, printer, and type designer. For this volume he designed the typography, opening ornament, endpapers, binding decoration, and coordinated case as parts of one artistic program.

The original leather binding and slipcase were executed by Antonín Jelínek (1890–1977), a noted Czech binder. The present example vividly demonstrates the unusual sophistication of their collaboration: the book’s contents and physical form were conceived together from the outset.

Vratislav Hugo Brunner ex libris

The front pastedown bears the geometric bookplate:

Fr. Tichý — Zd. Broman

Designed by Vratislav Hugo Brunner (1886–1928), the ex libris belonged to Czech literary historian, poet, translator, and writer František Tichý, who used the pseudonym Zdeněk Broman.

The bookplate’s integrated initials and bold geometric construction form a particularly harmonious addition to Kaláb’s design. It gives the copy literary provenance while adding a further original work by another major Czech modernist graphic artist.

Otakar Theer

Otakar Theer (1880–1917) was a Czech poet, dramatist, prose writer, and translator associated with Symbolism, Decadence, and early Czech modernism. Published during the First World War and one year before his death, Všemu navzdory is among his final poetry collections.

Its title, “In Spite of Everything,” conveys the volume’s resistant, searching character. The poems engage questions of mortality, spirituality, sensuality, and the pressure of the modern world through classical and Christian imagery.

Binding and design features

• First edition, Prague, 1916
• Third volume of the Knihy Zlatokvětu series
• One of 1,200 copies on handmade paper
• Complete graphic conception by Method Kaláb
• Original full dark plum leather binding by Antonín Jelínek
• Deep blind-stamped Czech Cubist geometric decoration
• Gilt-lettered spine
• Gilt top edge
• Original patterned endpapers
• Original decorated slipcase, designed as part of the book
• Vratislav Hugo Brunner ex libris for František Tichý / Zdeněk Broman

Condition

Very good overall.

The original leather binding is sound, supple, and exceptionally handsome. Blind-stamped decoration remains crisp and dramatic. Light rubbing and ordinary age wear are present at edges and extremities, with two tiny areas of leather loss along the front hinge; the boards and spine remain securely attached.

The original slipcase is solid and functional, with rubbing, edge wear, and minor surface abrasion from use. Its bold geometric decoration remains highly effective.

The handmade-paper text is clean and well-preserved, with broad margins and natural paper texture. Patterned endpapers are intact. Brunner ex libris is present on the front pastedown.

Please study all photographs carefully, as they form part of the condition description.

A complete Czech modernist survival

An exceptional combination of Czech literature, Cubist graphic design, fine leather binding, and literary provenance. Most important is the preservation of the volume as Kaláb intended it: book, binding, endpapers, and original decorated slipcase still together.