Complete issue of the Berliner Illustrirte Zeitung from December 14, 1919, twelve pages, 10.25 x 13.75, featuring an offset-print close-up portrait of Albert Einstein on the front cover, as taken by photographer Suse Byk. Below, the image is captioned in German (translated): "A new giant in world history: Albert Einstein, whose research represents a complete revolution in the way we view nature and is equal to the discoveries of Copernicus, Kepler, and Newton." This illustrated newspaper was largely responsible for introducing Einstein—with his trademark mustache and unkempt hair—as a famous public figure. In fine condition.
Suse Byk (1884–1943) was born in Berlin and did an apprenticeship as a photographer. In 1910, she was admitted to the Photographic Society of Berlin. In 1919, she opened a 'studio for photographic portraits' under her name at Kurfürstendamm 230, which she operated until 1938. Byk remained in Berlin after the transfer of power to the National Socialists in 1933 and continued to work, appearing not to be directly affected by state measures. Byk and her husband Hellmuth Falkenfeld emigrated in 1938 to London and from there to New York.
