Harris Schrank Fine Prints

ARMIN LANDECK (1905-1984)
Pop’s Tavern.

Drypoint and aquatint, 1934. 155×257 mm; 6 1/8×10 inches, full margins. Reference: Kraeft 45. Edition of 50 (from an intended edition of 100). Signed, dated and inscribed “Ed. 100” in pencil, lower margins. In excellent condition, with full margins, printed on a cream wove paper.

A superb, dark, richly-inked impression; one of Landeck’s most sought after prints.

This is a view of Christopher Street in New York, across from the Hudson Movie Theatre. Landeck’s friend and fellow artist Martin Lewis used the same location for his drypoint Bedford Street Gang, 1935.

Armin Landeck (1905-1984), York Avenue Tenements, drypoint, 1938, signed and dated in pencil lower right,  inscribed “Printer’s Proof” lower left margin, and “For Mohammad” lower middle margin. Reference: Kraeft 74, only state, apart from the edition of 100. In pristine condition. The full sheet with full margins, printed on a heavy cream wove paper, 10 3/8 x 9, the sheet 14 1/4 x 13 1/4  inches.

A superb impression, richly printed, and with a light veil of plate tone.

Landeck printed his proofs personally, supplying his dealers with proofs as they had need for replacements. But since Landeck insisted that his prints be affordable – he put a cap of $100 on prints sold by Associated American Artists in the late ’70’s and early ’80’s, for example – the demand increased substantially in his later years.  At that point he enlisted the printing help of two artists: Anthony Kirk and Mohammad Omer Khalil; this impression may have been given to Khalil.

Landeck said of this print: “…something of the character and mood of that part of New York City. I had a job near there and spent time wandering around the area. This street marks the boundary of the city. Tenements came up to the park – and stopped. Moral: Build more parks!”