Frank Lloyd Wright

100 very fine lithographed plates, unbound as issued, after Wright, printed by Wasmuth, 72 on heavy laminated paper (each embossed with Wright's blindstamp), 28 on tissue (sheet size: 25 3/8  x 15 7/8  in.; 644 x 403 mm).  Both American and German texts present, also unbound as issued (16 1/4  x 12 1/2  in.; 412 x 318 mm).  Publisher's two original portfolios, half buckram lettered in German in blind, gray paper covers, ribbon ties, folding inner flaps.

Private Collection, Seattle, WA
Ruth Rush, Seattle, WA
Milton Stricker, Seattle, WA, 1964-2008

Robert L. Sweeney, Frank Lloyd Wright:  An Annotated Bibliography, Los Angeles, 1978, pp. 15-18

One plate with minimal marginal wrinking, one tissue plate with marginal wrinking; otherwise, wear to the plates is minimal. Portfolios showing minor wear and fraying, some losses to ribbon ties. One or two leaves of the text with very light foxing, folding inner flaps; spines and edges rubbed, head and foot of spines chipped, corners torn. Overall, remarkably well preserved.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This remarkably well-preserved set of Frank Lloyd Wright's influential Wasmuth Portfolio is from the American issue of the first edition, which Wright imported into the United States for sale.  Included is the English-language "Studies and Executed Buildings" text, as well as the German introduction dated "Florenz, Italien. 15. Mai. 1910."  The American issue of the portfolio is quite scarce owing to the fact that many copies were destroyed in a fire at Taliesin. The Wasmuth Portfolio was the first publication of Wright's work to circulate anywhere in the world.

Milton Stricker was educated at Carnegie Institute of Technology, and on the eve of his graduation in 1951 joined the Frank Lloyd Wright Taliesin Fellowship.  He apprenticed at Taliesin for one year, and spent the following forty years practicing in the Pacific Northwest with an uncompromising dedication to organic architecture.  He was a distinguished board member of the Taliesin Fellows, and contributed eighteen essays on "Abstraction as Architecture."  Stricker acquired the present Portfolio for his comprehensive Wright library in 1964 from Seattle book dealer, Ruth Rush, who had previously acquired the set from a local engineer.