Hamburg, 4 October, 2012 (kk) – It could turn out an incredible yield when the rare exhibition catalog with ten original woodcuts by Brücke-artists will be called up in the Hamburg Auction of Rare Books on 19/20 November, 2012. Estimated with € 18.000, it was originally bought for a bargain of € 5.

Browsing a flea market he discovered the thin brochure in a size of 20 x 25 cm. The blue firm paper wrapper carries a pink rectangle with the inscription "Brücke". Told that it was for just € 5, the book and art lover from the Odenwald could not say "no".

Following his gut feeling, he showed the brochure, which turned out to be an exhibition catalog, to the auction house Ketterer Kunst. After some research it was clear: The man from south-western Germany had made a hell of a bargain, not only had the catalog last been offered on the German auction market some 30 years ago, on top, he had bought an extremely rare edition with two exceptionally scarce woodcuts by Max Pechstein.

The traveling exhibition for which the catalog had been released changed from Galerie Gurlitt in Berlin to Galerie Commeter in Hamburg. However, before the “Brücke“ exhibition reached its second stop, a dispute between members of the artist group had broken out, consequentially, Max Pechstein was expelled from the circle, because he had also shown works in the Berliner Secession. Therefore his works are contained only in this Berlin catalog. Afterwards they were removed and replaced by each a work from Erich Heckel and Karl Schmidt-Rottluff.

Other woodcuts in the booklet come amongst others from Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and Otto Müller.

Please find more information on the Rare Books auction in a separate press release.

07-09 November from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
12.-16. November from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
18 Novemberby appointment

Rare Books – Manuscripts – Autographs – Decorative Graphic Art as well as Maritime and Northern German Art on November19th/20th, 2012

Since it was founded in 1954, Ketterer Kunst has been firmly established in the front ranks of auction houses dealing in art and rare books, with its headquarters in Munich and a branch in Hamburg. Gallery rooms in Berlin as well as representatives in Heidelberg, Modena (Italy) and Düsseldorf have contributed substantially to the company's success. In addition, exhibitions, special theme and charity auctions as well as online auctions are regular events at Ketterer Kunst.