Satyry, Ignacy Krasicki, 1st Edition Book, Polish Literature., 11 Szancer Illustrations

“Satire tells the truth, renounces reasons. He worships the office, honors the king, but judges the man.” Krasicki (1735-1801)

Ignacy Krasicki was the author of the first Polish novel and Poland’s leading Enlightenment poet. Jan Marcin Szancer (1902-1973) was one of Poland’s most famed illustrators. These two artistic giants combine to create this spectacular 1952 first edition of Satyry.

Written entirely in Polish, the work uses satire or humor to make clear Krasicki’s disdain for hypocrisy, whether found in the clergy, the nobility, or everyman. Combined with Szancer’s truly stunning interpretive artwork, the result is a book that transcends borders – whether of language, or geography.

This hard back book’s 92 pages are filled with illustrations and 11 remarkable full page, printed ‘framed’ color intaglio plates on tinted cardboard with half transparent tissue guards. Each plate is signed ‘jms’ in the bottom right corner.

The book is fully intact. The half cloth and decorated boards cover shows wearing, especially at the edges and corners. Inside, the prior owner put his label on the top right of the front endpaper. The pages are clean with no writing, and have a beautiful, premium deckle edge. The pages are gently browned.

A beautiful copy of this first edition of Satyry, printed in Poland in 1952. The book measures 13.25″x 9 7/8″.