216 / 242
ALPHONSE MUCHA (1860-1939)
212
●
SLAVIA / [BANK INSURANCE CERTIFICATE.] 1907.
15
1
/
8
x9
1
/
4
inches, 38
1
/
4
x23
1
/
2
cm.
Condition A- / B+: minor foxing in margins; creases along horizontal folds. Matted and framed.
Unexamined out of frame.
Mucha designed a poster for the Czech bank “Slavia” in 1907. Although he was living in America at
the time (note the “NY” he included in front of his name), the image is laden with nationalist symbolic
imagery. The figure representing Slavia holds a ring in her hand symbolizing unity (i.e. panslavism)
and on either side of her chair sits a stylized falcon (in Czech, Sokol, the name given to the Czech
nationalist movement). This poster is believed to be based on Mucha’s portrait of Josephine Crane
Bradley, the daughter of his friend and patron Charles R. Crane. However, as the poster is dated 1907
and the painting 1908, it is clear that Mucha incorporated the girl’s portrait into a Czech 100 krown
note prior to his finished painting. Brno 55 (var), Rennert / Weill 93 (var), Mucha / Henderson 97
(var), Mucha / Bridges CP12b (var), Lendl p. 265 (var).
[600/900]
ALPHONSE MUCHA (1860-1939)
213
●
C.S. / Y.W.C.A. 1922.
11
1
/
2
x7
1
/
4
inches, 29
1
/
4
x18
1
/
2
cm. V. Neubert A Synové, [Prague.]
Condition A: minor time-staining at edges. Matted and framed. Unexamined out of frame.
“This poster was used for fund raising for the Czechoslovak YWCA in the year 1922. The movement came
to Czechoslovakia after Alice Masaryk, the daughter of the first Czech President, Thomas Masaryk, became
acquainted with its work while she stayed at the YWCA Settlement House in Chicago, where she was
attending the University of Chicago during 1918 and 1919. She asked permission to open a branch in her
homeland . . . [the] Prague branch of the World YWCA was opened in May, 1920 . . . Mucha’s poster was
a part of the organization’s efforts to enroll more members and find the funds to build more homes for girls
in the major cities in the country” (Rennert / Weill p. 356). This is the smaller format. Lendl p. 287,
Rennert / Weill 107 (var 1), Mucha / Postcards 159, Mucha / Henderson 110, Mucha / Bridges A67, Jiri
Mucha p. 271.
[2,000/3,000]
212
213