Hermann Hesse (1877-1962), the Swiss-German Nobel laureate whose "Siddhartha," "Steppenwolf," and "The Glass Bead Game" made him one of the most widely read European writers of the 20th century, signed and annotated this striking formal photograph in his own hand. The B&W portrait shows Hesse seated in three-quarter profile, pince-nez on his nose, a book open in his hands and a cigar between his fingers, entirely absorbed in reading. Below the image he has written and signed: "H. Hesse / (circa 1926)."
The circa 1926 dating places this image in the period immediately following "Steppenwolf" (written 1926, published 1927), among the most turbulent and creatively intense years of his life. Hesse's own annotation of the approximate date in his hand makes this a self-contextualized document of real biographical value. Signed photographs of Hesse showing him in his natural element as a reader are among the most appealing forms of his material.
Signed photograph with autograph annotation, black ink, approximately 5 x 7 inches (image); mounted on cream card to overall approximately 6.5 x 9 inches; inscribed and signed "H. Hesse / (circa 1926)" below image (IMG_277.jpg). Light toning; image strong; overall very good condition. Estimate: $1,000-$1,800.
This item will be accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity from One of a Kind Collectibles.