Päikseratas : poeem (Wheel of the Sun : Poems)

Near Fine condition; slight foxing throughout the book.

Extremely rare book published by publishing house “Ellai” placed in Estonian provincial town Võrun (now Võru). It was the second Ellai publication, the first one was Vahtra’s woodcut prints folder "Blanc et Noir" (1921) issued in 100 numbered copies. Both, book’s author, writer and respected teacher Rudolf Reiman (1893-1957), and book’s illustrator and outstanding modernist artist Jaan Vahtra (1882–1947) came from Võru. 

Current Reiman’s third book of verse includes twelve poems, each representing one month of the year, where the themes of Symbolism are integrated with Expresiionism, as “wheel of the sun cuts into darkness of night” (from the text of the poem). Author's technically masterful poetic works were highly praised by critics. According to one of the leading Estonian linguists Johannes Aavik, Reiman's refined poetic style and lyrical intensity places him alongside with Marie Under. The book is remarkable for its amazing avant-garde ullustrations. Cover design, nearly full-page publisher’s logo on the first page, one full-page and twelve half-page woodcuts preceding each chapter are created by Vahtra. Jaan Vahtra is the chief figure of Estonian avant-garde, who worked in the areas of Expressionism, Cubism and Constructivism. At the beginning of the 1920s in his works took place concentration to graphic art, that became the general part of his creation, according to which he is most of all valued. Under the leadership of Vahtra in 1923 was established Eesti Kunstnikkude Rühm (Estonian Artists’ Group) which united a new generation of painters committed to Cubist experimentation. Very important is his creative work of graphic art in journalism and book design.