Heartfield and Grosz: Neue Jugend and
Kleine Grosz Mappe, 1917

John Heartfield (Helmut Herzfeld; German, 1891–1968)
Front (above) and back (below) covers of
Neue Jugend (New Youth), no. 2 (Der Malik-Verlag, June 1917)
Letterpress, 25 3/16 x 20 11/16” (63.9 x 52.5 cm)

The second issue of Wieland Herzfelde’s Neue Jugend (June 1917) famously featured a photographic image of New York’s Flatiron Building, overprinted with the word Reklameberatung (advertising consulting agency). This was a provocative endorsement of Americanism, appearing two months after the United States had declared war on Germany. Eager to avoid the censors, the journal declared itself a “prospectus” for the Malik-Verlag’s forthcoming Kleine Grosz Mappe (Small Grosz Portfolio). While it contained much more, it did advertise the portfolio across its pages; most notably on the back cover in a proto-Dada typo-collage of printer’s motifs—a skull and crossbones, top hat, cigar, and dancer—by John Heartfield, printed in red, green, and black.

John Heartfield (Helmut Herzfeld; German, 1891–1968)
Front and back of colophon for Kleine Grosz Mappe (Small Grosz Portfolio). Berlin-Halensee: Der Malik-Verlag, 1917
Letterpress on pink paper, 11 x 8 1/8” (28.2 x 21.2 cm), closed

Appearing in fall 1917, the Kleine Grosz Mappe was the second George Grosz portfolio to be published by the Malik-Verlag. It contained twenty lithographs after drawings created in 1915 and 1916. Notable was the accompanying colophon on pink paper designed by Heartfield in the manner of his Neue Jugend typographical collage.

The Kleine Grosz Mappe was issued in an edition of 100 numbered copies, twenty on Japanese paper. Our copy of this portfolio is an unnumbered example on regular paper dedicated to Grosz’s brother-in-law Otto Schmalhausen (“Oz”; later “Dada-Oz”).

Georg Grosz (American, born Germany. 1893–1959)
Cover of Kleine Grosz Mappe (Small Grosz Portfolio).
Berlin-Halensee: Der Malik-Verlag, 1917
Lithograph on metallic paper mounted on cardboard,
11 3/4 x 9 1/2” (30 x 24 cm)

Detail of inner flap of portfolio cover of Kleine Grosz Mappe (Small Grosz Portfolio) inscribed by Grosz to his brother-in-law Otto Schmalhausen (“Oz”): March 15, 1918, Dem lieben Oz in herzlicher Freundschaft und Widmung von seinem George, Le boeuff (To the beloved Oz in heartfelt friendship and dedication from his George, the bull)

Below: Plates from Kleine Grosz Mappe
Each: Lithograph with pencil signature, 11 1/2 x 8 1/4” (29 x 21 cm)

2. Straße (Street)

4. Kaffeehaus (Coffee House)

19. Mord (Murder)

November 22, 2022