Germany, Franz Bernack, ca. 1911. 15 sheets with original artwork, mounted. In folio-sized portfolio (45.2 x 35.1 cm) with calligraphed title mounted on front board.

A unique portfolio with original artwork for cigarette packs, business stationery, labels, book covers, jewellery, etc. by the German artist and illustrator Franz Bernack (1880-1935), listed by Müller and Singer (1922: p. 22) as "Bernack, Franz, Maler, geb. 5. März 1880 in Leipzig. Er wurde Lehrer an der Kunstgewerbl. Zeichensch. in Oldenburg und schuf Landschaften und Blumenstücke, auch in Radierung und Steindruck." However, until 1907 he was an art teacher in Leipzig. In total 36 separate designs or design elements mounted on 15 cardboard sheets (various sizes); mostly in Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) style, but several showing Art Deco influences. Several are heightened with gold; one contains a long, neatly calligraphed poem. Two are dated 1911. Covers a bit stained; the label partly shaved; the individual designs, however, in excellent condition, with the colouring bright and vivid. H. A. Müller and H. W. Singer (1922) Allgemeines Künstler Lexikon. Leben und Werke der berühmtesten bildenden Künstler. Nachträge und Berichtingungen.