ELEVEN LYRICS BASED ON THE ODES OF ANACREON by Ritter, Chris - 1950

New York: Laurel Gallery, 1950. First Edition. Hardcover. Very good. Limited to 100 copies, of which this is number 2, with eight original color lithographs, four of which are signed by the artist. A collection of art and verses inspired by the odes attributed to the Greek lyric poet Anacreon, who lived in the 6th century B.C. Chris Ritter (1906-76) was a significant figure in the postwar New York avant garde scene. He was the owner of the Laurel Gallery, which published this and other important print portfolios. His work is included in the collections of the Brooklyn Museum, the Whitney Museum, the British Museum, and the Smithsonian Archives of American Art, among other institutions. Folio. Original blue handmade paper-covered front board and gray paper-covered rear board over a red cloth spine, with a printed paper title label on the front. There is offsetting to the text and edges of a few of the prints from the original glue. Seven of the prints were detached and are now housed in archival sleeves and mounted in their original location with archival tape. Mild bit of wear to the corners and tips; else very good. Scarce.