Paradise: The Journal and Letters (1917-1933) of Irma Stern (First Edition)
Paradise: The Journal and Letters (1917–1933) of Irma Stern (Collectible Art History First Edition)
Bibliographic Specifications
- Title: Paradise: The Journal and Letters (1917–1933) of Irma Stern
- Author: Irma Stern (Edited with commentary by Neville Dubow)
- Publisher: Chameleon Press, Cape Town
- Publication Date: 1991
- ISBN-10: 187481208X
- ISBN-13: 9781874812081
- Edition Details: First Edition, Standard Hardcover Release.
- Binding: Full publisher's cloth boards with gold-foiled spine typography.
- Physical Format: Quarto (4to). Extensively illustrated with high-fidelity color reproductions of Stern's expressionist paintings, private journal sketches, and intimate facsimiles of her handwriting.
- Language: English (with original diary translations)
Official Condition Report
- The Book: Very Good Plus (VG+)
- Exterior / Boards: The cloth casing is perfectly square, rigid, and pristine. Minimal evidence of shelf contact.
- Interior: Clean, bright, and firmly bound. Pages are unmarred by ink notations, dealer stamps, or reading folds.
- The Dust Jacket: Very Good (VG)
- Condition Detail: The original illustrated jacket is vibrant and structurally sound. Shows only minor, routine handling wear to the upper extremities and faint storage friction to the gloss surface. Complete, unclipped, and free of prominent tears.
Synopsis & Historical Value
Paradise: The Journal and Letters of Irma Stern provide an unprecedented glimpse into the inner life, artistic evolution, and travels of South Africa's most globally acclaimed Expressionist master. Spanning the years 1917 to 1933, this volume brings together her private letters and journal entries from her formative European periods and her transformative journeys through Africa. Enhanced by expert analysis from Neville Dubow, this rare collectible book reveals the profound psychological and cultural forces that inspired her vibrant, boundary-pushing art.
Author Profile: Irma Stern & Neville Dubow
Ima Stern (1894–1966) was a pioneering South African painter whose work introduced European avant-garde Expressionism to the African continent, making her one of the most commercially successful and historically significant artists of the 20th century. Editor Neville Dubow was a leading art critic, author, and Professor of Fine Art at the University of Cape Town, widely recognized as a premier authority on Stern's artistic legacy.
