The 50 Stone Lithographs of Fred Machetanz (ISBN 0941728005)
Fred Machetanz made 50 stone lithographs between 1946 and 1980, each in editions of 100. Many of those same prints now sell for well over $5,000 each. In 1982, all 50 of these beautiful designs were compiled into this 101-page book, which was published in a limited edition of only 950 copies.
Each lithographic image is accompanied by a written description which was written by the artist's wife, Sarah. Each book is also hand-signed by artist Fred Machetanz and is individually numbered. It is extremely rare for a book of such high quality to be published in such a small limited edition-- just like his limited edition prints, it was intended to become valuable.
Originally published by Mill Pond Press of Venice, Florida in 1982.
To collect all 50 of the original full-size prints (of which only 100 were made and sold from 1946 to 1980) it would likely cost six figures.
Fred Machetanz (1905-2002)
The dramatic colors of Alaska are the colors of Machetanz's palette: the pinks
and golds of the northern sunlight, the blues and greens of snow and ice, the grays and creams of polar bear fur. Machetanz credited his classic transparent oil technique with capturing Alaska's kaleidoscope of color.
Fred Machetanz painted portraits of an Alaska in what he called its romantic period, between the gold rush and the oil boom. He chronicled the traditional Eskimo lifestyle- now rapidly changing but not as yet vanished -- and the constantly changing resplendency of the Alaskan landscape.
One of Alaska's preeminent artists, during his lifetime Machetanz traveled a long trail from his first one-man show in 1961. His paintings and stone lithographs have been exhibited around the world, including in numerous permanent collections and have been published in several books. His awards ranged from 1977 Alaskan of the Year and a seat in the Alaska Press Club Hall of Fame to three honorary doctorates, including one in humane letters from Ohio State University, his alma mater.
Machetanz pictured the Alaska he first encountered in the village of Unalakleet; it was here that he first established a bond with the land and its people that lasted nearly 50 years. As the patterns of light and dark and the luminous effects of his glazing techniques are the trademarks of a Machetanz oil painting, the spirit of Machetanz is the trademark of Alaska. He once said, "If anyone viewing my work has felt the beauty, the thrill and the fascination I have known in Alaska, then I have succeeded in what I set out to do."
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