Lot description
WALTHER KOCH (1875-1915) WINTERSPORT IN GRAUBÜNDEN SCHWEIZ. 1907. 39 1/4x27 1/4 inches, 99 3/4x63 cm. Gebr. Fretz, Zurich. Condition B+: repaired tears at edges, some slightly into image; crease, abrasions and restoration in margins and along vertical and horizontal folds. Koch was born in Germany, and moved to Davos in 1898, where he primarily worked as a landscape painter and travel poster artist. His most memorable and dynamic designs feature athletes participating in winter sports such as skiing, skating and sledding, often with decorative borders and beautifully-rendered text to accompany the image. This poster, which highlights the majestic solitude of the Alps as a place to get away, was also printed in French. This is the German version. From a ski history perspective note that the skier is only using one pole. Sports d'Hiver p. 36, Wobmann, 36 (var), Margadant, 267, Swiss Winter Posters, 39 (var), Giroud / Schlup 9, Thalmann 47, Ballu 98.