Chagall Reprints Report - Finally!

Quite a while ago I promised to report on my research into the Israel Chagal reprints discussed in a couple of threads here on the SCF. Finally, here it is:

Those of you who have been around awhile may remember my posts concerning the reprints of Israel's series of stamps depicting Marc Chagall's series of stained glass windows.

Link to posts: https://goscf.com/t/6652&whichpage=...erms=chagall

After a couple months of research and ebay browsing I've found that there is quite a bit more to the subject than I originally thought. Here is a short paper on Chagall, his famous windows and the reproductions.

Marc Chagall and the Windows

Chagall was a prolific French-Russian Jewish artist who became one of the most successful and appreciated multi-medium artists of his time. His escape from Nazi controlled France probably led to his lifelong interest in Bible and Jewish history, and a lot of his work was related to that interest. In 1960 he was commissioned to produce a series of twelve stained glass windows for the synagogue of Hebrew University's Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem. The windows represented the twelve tribes of Israel and incorporated floating figures of fish, animals, flowers and numerous Jewish symbols. Chagall based his designs on his personal sense of the history of tragedy and victory that were the Jewish experience.
Chagall and his assistant, Charles Marq, completed the project in just under two years. After they were exhibited in Paris and New York the windows were permanently installed in the synagogue in February 1962. At the dedication, Chagall described his feelings about the windows:

"For me a stained glass window is a transparent partition between my heart and the heart of the world. Stained glass has to be serious and passionate. It is something elevating and exhilarating. It has to live through the perception of light. To read the Bible is to perceive a certain light, and the window has to make this obvious through its simplicity and grace.... The thoughts have nested in me for many years, since the time when my feet walked on the Holy Land, when I prepared myself to create engravings of the Bible. They strengthened me and encouraged me to bring my modest gift to the Jewish people—that people that lived here thousands of years ago, among the other Semitic peoples."

The Stamps

In 1973 Israel honored Chagall and his windows with a beautiful 12-stamp set issued in two parts. The first six (Scott 509 – 514; Bale 554 – 559), with a face value of 1.00 Israeli Lira, were released on 3/26/73 and represented the tribes of Jacob's sons Issachar, Zebulun, Judah, Levi, Simeon and Reuben. The final six (Scott 515 – 520; Bale 564 – 569), also with a face value of 1.00 Lira, were released on 8/21/73 and represented the tribes of Naphtali, Asher, Gad, Dan, Benjamin and Joseph. All stamps were issued in sheets of 15, perforated 14x14, and as with all Israeli issues of the period they had tabs on the bottom row. Both series were withdrawn from sale on 2/1/74.

The Reproductions

The Israeli Philatelic Service authorized limited edition reproductions of the series in 1987 on the centenary of Chagall's birth. These were sold with the proceeds intended for charity.
I have identified nine types, or varieties, of reproductions to date. There may, of course, be more. The type designations are mine and may, or may not, coincide with those of other researchers. My descriptions follow:

Type I

Booklet; Limited issue of 750 copies; White with blue stripe front cover; Black emblem; Plain back cover; Perforated; Color separations reproduction; Tan background.

Type II

Booklet; Limited issue of 1000 copies; White with blue stripe front cover; Red emblem; Plain back cover; Perforated; Color separations reproduction; White background.

Type III

Booklet; Limited issue of 750 copies; White with blue stripe front cover; Black emblem; Plain back cover; Perforated; Color reproduction; Tan background.

Type IV

Booklet; Limited issue of 750 copies; White front cover with no stripe; Black emblem; Plain back cover; Imperforate; Color reproduction; Tan background.

Type V

Card; Limited issue of 750 copies; 4 issues per card; Color reproduction; White background.

Type VI

Paper; Limited issue of 1000 copies; 4 issues per piece; Color reproduction; White background.

Type VII

Paper; Limited issue of 1000 copies; 4 issues per piece; Color reproduction; Gold Seal; White background.

Type VIII

Card; Limited issue of 1000 copies; One issue per card; Color separation reproduction; White background.

Type IX

Card; Limited issue of 1000 copies; Three issues per card; Color reproduction; White background.


Link to Photobucket illustrations of each type: http://s578.photobucket.com/albums/...bbie/Chagal/

So, as it turns out, their "Extremely Limited Edition" of reprints wasn't quite as limited as we were led to believe!

But I still like them and will continue to look for additional varieties.

Interesting stuff. Thanks for sharing it :)

Great Images Swabbie:

Wouldn't it be awesome to see the actual works. I bet they're breathtaking.

KirkS

Great stuff Laswabbie.
You have done a fine job with your research.
As a token of my appreciation, I am willing to look after these for you when you next go on holiday, no charge.
The thought of them being stolen while you are away does not go down well.

Don't you just love stained glass windows !

Thanks for all the info and the pics. A very nice find.

Londonbus1.....The Stampsitter !

Michael - I've been looking for a good stampsitter.

Can I send you my whole collection for safekeeping. I'll also send all my new material and you can keep it also.

Any clues as to the Printers of these ?
The same printer for all or more than one?

I did a bit of asking around but came up blank.

Stampsitter - No, I haven't seen anything mentioned about the printer(s). It would be interesting to find out!

Thanks for post this very interesting and informative thread Greg.

Beautiful Marc Chagall Collection for sale - just listed on Craigslist:
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cl...6163447.html

Marc Chagall collection - $2000 (Chicopee MA)
"My Chagall collection in its entirety: "The Jerusalem Windows," first edition book (1962, $1000 value for Chagall originals alone), with dust jacket, with two original Chagall lithographs; the first edition souvenir Jerusalem Windows box set, with box and manual (rare, try and find a complete set! they sell for $150-$200 ea. on e-bay, 12 in all, in very good condition); Marc Chagall's autograph, on a French postcard;Yousuf Karsh's 1967 intaglio photo portrait; two media photos, one, Chagall is signing a work, two, he is receiving an Honorary degree in Israel, both are annotated on back; 10 year anniversary, first day issue envelopes cancelled in Hadassah, Israel, where the windows reside; the 10th anniversary stamp set singles; and first day issue envelopes for his United Nations window, one is a single, the other a panel. And finally, a reproduction mini poster of the Louvre exhibit for The Jerusalem Windows showing (not pictured, but perfect)."

A little Chagall goes a lonnnnng way for me, although the stained glass windows in Rheims Cathedral are very effective in the flesh, or in the vitre.

I have 5 versions of the reproduction booklet and 3 sets of cards. I also have one set of 12 FDC's from one of the color separation booklets. I have a set of 12 sheets as well. Some sample scans:

Gee, that is a lot of beautiful scans !
Love Marc Chagall.....think I saw some of his works at the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg

Thanks for bringing up this old thread! I have a nascent Chagall topical collection. I'll have to dig it out and see what Hadassah material is included. I know I have a couple of things...