A print of the final version of the main layer of the portrait of Józef Poniatowski, the central portion of which adorns the 5 zlotych banknotes from 1919 and 1924.
Created by applying hatching and shading to details such as the fur trim of the coat, the prince’s hair, and his mustache.
Created by Eugene Gasperini“Gaspe,” an engraver working in France (signed below the portrait), who is also known for his woodcuts on the 1931 20 zlotych banknote.
Blue color scheme.
This piece is also unique in its form.
It is printed on a wide sheet of paper, the reverse side of which bears the artist’s stamp ( Atelier Eugene GASPERINI - Graveur | E.GASPE). Known, among other things, from a proof of the 1925 50 złotych note in the Lucow collection (614 R8). In the lower left corner, there is a handwritten note in pencil dated 05/06/19. There are traces of pinning on the sides. A diagonal tear in front of the figure has been professionally repaired and reinforced.
Dimensions: 278 x 142 mm (including the bust: ~55 x 70 mm).
Proof prints are the only surviving witnesses to the complex process of banknote production. These are usually extremely rare, one-of-a-kind items documenting the successive stages of production. They allow one to closely examine the graphics of individual layers or notice details invisible on the final banknote. Now included in the collection, they lend it a unique spirit of the era.
