Amsterdam: Uitgevers Maatschappy "Elsevier", 1916. Original portfolio, with 7 volumes, each containing 12 monochrome illustrations on 6 leaves and an original lithograph wrapper by L. RAEMAEKERS.
The portfolio is stained and the burgundy cloth to the spine is splitting. Foxing inside. The bottom flap is also splitting but holding. The seven volumes are of differing edition and the covers in differing condition. Captions in English, German and Dutch. Eerste serie = Negende druk. 1916 A little darkening to the covers, but internally sound. Tweede serie = Zesde druk. 1916 A little darkening to the covers, but internally sound. Vierde serie = vierde druk. 1916 A little darkening to the covers, some staining to the bottom edge, but internally sound. Viefde serie = derde druk. 1916 Significant darkening and foxing to the covers. chipping to the bottom edge. Inside, first leaf detached but present. Chipping to the edge of this. The other leaves are sound. Zesde serie = derde druk. 1916 A little darkening to the covers, but internally sound. Zevende serie = eerste druk. 1917 Orange covers. Nice clean covers, internally sound.
Raemaekers (1869 – 1956) became widely known as a political cartoonist during the First World War, first with his prints in De Telegraaf, later for the publications he made for the British propaganda agency Wellington House. After his death in July 1956 an obituary appeared in The Times: "It has been said that Louis Raemaekers was the only private individual who exerted a real and great influence on the course of the First World War. There were a dozen people—emperors, kings, statesmen, and military leaders—who unquestionably shaped policy and were in charge. But outside that circle of greats, Louis Raemaekers was the only man who, without title or status – and without any doubt – determined the destiny of the nations."
410 by 320mm (16¼ by 12½ inches).