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1948, Nikos Velliotis, Olaria Olara, First Edition, Woodcuts by Vaso Katraki, Greek Occupation Literature
1948, Nikos Velliotis, Olaria Olara, First Edition, Woodcuts by Vaso Katraki, Greek Occupation Literature - Image 2
1948, Nikos Velliotis, Olaria Olara, First Edition, Woodcuts by Vaso Katraki, Greek Occupation Literature - Image 3
1948, Nikos Velliotis, Olaria Olara, First Edition, Woodcuts by Vaso Katraki, Greek Occupation Literature - Image 4
1948, Nikos Velliotis, Olaria Olara, First Edition, Woodcuts by Vaso Katraki, Greek Occupation Literature - Image 5
1948, Nikos Velliotis, Olaria Olara, First Edition, Woodcuts by Vaso Katraki, Greek Occupation Literature - Image 6
1948, Nikos Velliotis, Olaria Olara, First Edition, Woodcuts by Vaso Katraki, Greek Occupation Literature - Image 7
1948, Nikos Velliotis, Olaria Olara, First Edition, Woodcuts by Vaso Katraki, Greek Occupation Literature - Image 8
1948, Nikos Velliotis, Olaria Olara, First Edition, Woodcuts by Vaso Katraki, Greek Occupation Literature - Image 9
1948, Nikos Velliotis, Olaria Olara, First Edition, Woodcuts by Vaso Katraki, Greek Occupation Literature - Image 10

1948, Nikos Velliotis, Olaria Olara, First Edition, Woodcuts by Vaso Katraki, Greek Occupation Literature

95.00€

A rare and historically important first edition of ΟΛΑΡΙΑ – ΟΛΑΡΑ (Olaria – Olara) by Nikos Velliotis, illustrated with 9 original woodcuts by the renowned Greek engraver and artist Vaso Katraki.

This powerful novella depicts the life and suffering of the people of Piraeus during the German Occupation of Greece in World War II. Through an intense and deeply human narrative, Velliotis captures the atmosphere of fear, deprivation, endurance, and resistance that marked occupied Greece.

The title derives from the haunting song of the German guards heard at the tragic conclusion of the novella, when the character Barba-Yiannis dies after being tortured by the Germans:

“Outside, heavy snow was now falling. And from the main road the song of the German guard echoed: ‘Olaria-olaraaa, Olaria-olaraaa…’”

The striking woodcuts were created by “Vasso” (Vaso Katraki), as stated in the volume itself, shortly after her arrival in Piraeus. The publication represents only the second publishing appearance of Katraki’s graphic work after The Altar of Freedom (1945), making the book especially significant for collectors of her work and of postwar Greek illustrated editions.

Velliotis and Katraki both belonged to the wider intellectual and artistic circle surrounding the important Greek poet Nikiforos Vrettakos.

Vaso Katraki (1914–1988) became one of the most important Greek engravers of the 20th century. Initially working in wood engraving before developing her internationally acclaimed sandstone engraving technique, her work is deeply associated with themes of resistance, exile, suffering, and human dignity.

This edition constitutes an important example of postwar Greek literary and artistic collaboration and is increasingly scarce on the market.

Details

  • Author: Nikos Velliotis
  • Title: ΟΛΑΡΙΑ – ΟΛΑΡΑ (Olaria – Olara)
  • Illustrator: Vaso Katraki
  • Illustrated with 9 original woodcuts
  • Edition: First Edition
  • Original paper binding
  • Pages: 88
  • Format: 8vo
  • Language: Greek

Condition

Very good vintage condition.

  • Light age-related wear
  • Binding sound and well preserved
  • Interior generally clean

Please examine the photographs carefully for detailed condition assessment.

Literary & Artistic Importance

This work occupies a unique position within postwar Greek publishing, combining:

  • occupation-era literary testimony,
  • early modern Greek wood engraving,
  • and the formative artistic period of Vaso Katraki.

Early illustrated books featuring Katraki’s work are increasingly sought after by collectors of:

  • modern Greek art,
  • resistance literature,
  • artist-illustrated books,
  • and postwar European cultural history.