Himlen in Opgrunt [Heavens in the Abyss], by Chaim Krul (Krol). Lodz: Achrid, 1921. Yiddish, with an additional Polish title page. Linocuts by Esther Karp.
A volume of poetry by Chaim Krul. The entire book – cover, illustrations and text – consists of linocuts by Esther Karp. The illustrations are colored with watercolors. Copy no. 46 from an edition of 200 numbered copies.
Esther Karp (1897-1970) was born in Skierniewice, Poland. Her father, Lipman Karp, owned a photography studio. After she graduated from the local gymnasium, Karp travelled to study painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. During the early 1920s, after graduating from the academy, she moved to Lodz and became associated with the Yung-Yidish group. In 1925, she moved to Paris, where she continued to paint. Throughout her life, Karp suffered from mental disorders, and in her last years was hospitalized in the St. Anne psychiatric hospital in Paris.
[20] leaves, 26.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Cover slightly faded at margins. Small tears to spine.
The Achrid publishing house in Lodz also published other books by Yung-Yidish artists, including a volume of poetry by Rachel Lipstein with linocuts by Dinah Matus (see Kedem catalog 56, item 154).