A radiant fusion of art, faith, and history—this 1962 first edition of The Jerusalem Windows captures Marc Chagall’s visionary-stained glass designs for the Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem. Printed in Paris and published by George Braziller, this large quarto volume (211pp) is bound in gilt-lettered red cloth (with gentle sunning to the lower cloth board edges,) photographic endpapers depicting the Mountains of Judea. The illustrated dust jacket (price: $35) is near fine, with only light edgewear.
The book includes two original lithographs by Chagall, created especially for this edition—vivid, transcendent, and unmistakably his.
Tipped in are several rare personal artifacts:
- Marc Chagall personally attended the opening day of the 19th Annual National Postage Stamp Show in New York on November 17, 1967, and signed a limited number of commemorative ceremony programs. The highlight of the event was the United Nations Postal Administration's release of a 6-cent stamp and souvenir sheet depicting Chagall’s famous stained-glass memorial window, which he had gifted to the UN headquarters in 1964.
- A scarce “Les Collines” note card inscribed by Valentina “Vava” Chagall on behalf of her husband, then 76, dated January 3rd, 1963. Written shortly after the book’s release, the note expresses Chagall’s gratitude and gentle regret at declining an exhibition invitation due to workload. It reads in part: “Thank you for your sympathy… I will gladly sign your book… Unfortunately, it is not possible for me to take on the exhibition…” VaVa Chagall was very much involved in the creation and inauguration of Jerusalem Windows. Includes its original Air Mail envelope from the Chagall's studio in Vence, Cote d’Azur, France—an evocative touch of provenance. The recipient was a noted American author and collector who would later direct the Norman Rockwell Museum.
A museum-worthy copy with a deeply personal connection to the artist and his circle. Ideal for collectors of Chagall, Judaica, or modern art books with meaningful provenance.