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Walter Bosse Furniture

Austrian, 1904-1979

Credited with thousands of works and models for ceramic pieces, Walter Bosse was an intensely prolific designer. The modernist Austrian sculptor and ceramist was best known for his distinctive “Black Golden” series of decorative objects and figurines, particularly his hedgehog ashtrays. Bosse’s mid-century and Art Deco works were popular as gifts for politicians and royalty worldwide, remaining coveted among collectors today.

Bosse was born in Vienna in 1904 to artist parents — his father, Julius, was a portrait painter for the Austrian Imperial Court. Bosse studied at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna from 1918 to 1921 under Austrian sculptor Michael Powolny and Austrian painter Franz Cizek. Later, he continued at the Munich School of Applied Arts in Germany under Austrian architect and designer Josef Hoffmann, a founder of the Vienna Secession movement.

Early in his career, Bosse worked as a designer at several ceramics manufacturers, including Augarten Porcelain Works in 1924, Goldscheider Porcelain Manufactory and Majolica Factory in 1926 and Metzler and Ortloff in 1927. In 1925, Bosse displayed several pieces at the International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts in Paris, which introduced the Art Deco style to a global audience.

In 1931, Bosse opened a shop in Kufstein, Austria, selling ceramic gift items. Owing to the crippling economic effects of the Great Depression, however, Bosse was forced to close his shop in 1937. He returned to Vienna in 1938 and opened another business, Bosse Keramik, where he sold toys, glass, textiles and more. In the late 1940s, Bosse experimented with small-scale brass sculptures and desk accessories coated in black ceramic glaze. With Austrian designer Herta Baller, Bosse formed the Bosse-Baller company to manufacture the “Black Golden” line of figurines, which became wildly popular worldwide.

Despite Bosse’s success, he struggled financially and moved to Iserlohn, Germany, in 1953. Meanwhile, Baller continued to manufacture and sell Bosse’s designs, which were so popular that forgers copied and sold counterfeit editions of Bosse’s works around the world. The 1950s marked the debut of the artist’s whimsically zoomorphic hedgehog ashtrays — these were cast in brass, and a hedgehog ashtray in any other material is not a Bosse original.

Bosse spent the rest of his life embroiled in court battles to protect his designs, leaving him penniless by the time he died. Today authentic Bosse pieces — from wall-mounted sculptures to tableware — continue to be highly sought after by collectors.

Find vintage Walter Bosse serveware, wall decorations and more on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Walter Bosse
Mid Century Modern Vintage Brass Key Hanger by Walter Bosse Herta Baller 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Very nice Key Hanger designed by Walter Bosse and executed by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s. The motif signs the figures of the "Town Musicians of Bremen" a donkey, a dog, a cat and ...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Metal

ELEPHANT Walter Bosse figurines brass patinated new Vienna Austria TALISMAN
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
This elephant was produced in Austria and is signed at the bottom: Bosse Austria. The piece comes together with a fabric pouch, including a certificate, too. Each figure is special i...
Category

2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Brass Cat Wine Bottle Holder by Herta Baller Vienna, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A sculptural mid-century wine caddy / bottle holder from the 1950s, displaying a cat. A humorous design by Walter Bosse and manufactured by Hertha Baller in Vienna, Austria. Construc...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Extremely Rare Austrian Cigarette Box or Tin Signed by Walter Bosse, circa 1951
By Walter Bosse
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
An extremely rare brass box or tin designed by Walter Bosse for storing cigarettes or tobacco in. We have yet to find this example in any publication on Bosse's work although simila...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Blackened Bronze Small Bear Trays / Candle Holders by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse
Located in San Diego, CA
Fun pair of blackened bronze small bear trinket trays / candle holders by Walter Bosse , circa 1950's. The pair are in very good vintage condition with a great patina and measure 2....
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Walter Bosse Shoehorn, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Shoehorn, circa 1950s polished and stove enamelled.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Umbrella Stand with Fish, Walter Bosse, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Umbrella stand fish, brass blackened metal, Walter Bosse, Austria, 1950s.  
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Hedgehog Walter Bosse figurines brass patinated new Vienna Austria
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
This hedgehog figurine was produced in Austria and is signed at the bottom: Bosse Austria. The piece comes together with a fabric pouch, including a certificate, too. Model N° BO 60...
Category

2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Thermometer, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse thermometer Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Toothpick Holder Donkey Set, Black Brass Glass, Hertha Baller, 1950
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A toothpick holder set in the form of a donkey designed by Walter Bosse and manufactured by Hertha Baller, Austria, Vienna, in midcentury in 1950s. The donkey is made of patinated and aged blackened brass. The toothpick holders are made of glass. This charming piece is an eyecatcher for every kitchen or dining table. About Walter Bosse and Hertha Baller: Walter Bosse (November 13, 1904–December 13, 1979) was a Viennese artist, designer, ceramist, potter, metalworker, and craftsman noted for his modernist bronze animal figurines...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Two Owls Bottle Stopper by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Two Owls bottle stopper by Walter Bosse 2 are available, priced and sold per piece. Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse candle holder around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse candle holder around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Cat Cork Screw, Brass Blackened, Walter Bosse Vienna, Austria
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A cork screw in the shape of a cat by Walter Bosse made of partially blackened brass.   
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse candle holder shows a elephant vienna around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse candle holder shows a elephant vienna around 1950s Original condition The candle is only for the photoshoot. ( not for sale )
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Cute Little Figure Angel Candleholder by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass blackened candleholder in form of angel figurine made in Austria in the 1950s.  
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pencile Holder Fish by Hertha Baller, Vienna, around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Pencile holder fish by Hertha Baller, Vienna, around 1950s Original condition The pencile is only for the photoshooting (not included).
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

VTG Walter Bosse Cast Brass / Bronze Figural Giraffe Figurine Mid Century Modern
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Cute mid century modern black patinated brass or bronze giraffe miniature figurine, designed by Walter Bosse for Herta Baller in the 1950s/60s.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Walter Bosse figurines Elephant brass patinated new Vienna Austria
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
In 2000 a Viennese public house released the first monograph about Walter Bosse. Illustrated with various pictures it shows his highly creative potential and his influence and impact...
Category

2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Cat Ring Holder for Hertha Baller Blackened Brass, 1950's
By Walter Bosse
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare Walter Bosse cat ring holder circa 1950's nicely patinated, some brass left from the original finish some scratches and painting it's off as shown.
Category

Late 20th Century Austrian Art Deco Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Metal

ELEPHANT Walter Bosse figurines brass patinated new Vienna Austria TALISMAN
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
This elephant figurine was produced in Austria and is signed at the bottom: Bosse Austria. The piece comes together with a fabric pouch, including a certificate, too. Each figure is ...
Category

2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Squirrel Walter Bosse figurines brass patinated new Vienna Austria TALISMAN
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
This squirrel figurine was produced in Austria and is signed at the bottom: Bosse Austria. The piece comes together with a fabric pouch, including a certificate, too. Each figure is ...
Category

2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Brass Table Bell by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
Solid brass blackened, designed by Walter Bosse produced by Hertha Baller in the 1950s.
Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Walter Bosse figurine Penguin brass patinated new Vienna Austria
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Penguin. New production made in Austria. The figurine is special in its own way and requires 14 work steps. It is a "lost wax casting" piece. In 2000 a Viennese public house release...
Category

2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse figurine BOAR brass patinated new Vienna Austria
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Boar. New production made in Austria. The figurine is special in its own way and requires 14 work steps. It is a "lost wax casting" piece. Model number BO21 In 2000 a Viennese publi...
Category

2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter bosse for herta Baller cat figurine vienna around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Walter bosse for herta Baller cat figurine vienna around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse figurines Duck brass patinated new Vienna Austria
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
In 2000 a Viennese public house released the first monograph about Walter Bosse. Illustrated with various pictures it shows his highly creative potential and his influence and impact...
Category

2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Zodiac Sign Twins Figurine by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s ( signed )
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Zodiac Sign Twins Figurine by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s ( signed ) Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Set of Five Coat Rack in Cat Shape, Brass Blackened, Walter Bosse Vienna Austria
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A set of 5 coat racks designed by Walter Bosse in cat shape. Brass partially blackened.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Sword Fish Cork Screw, Brass Blackened, Hertha Baller/Walter Bosse Vienna, AUT
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A cork screw in shape of a sword fish by Hertha Baller/Walter Bosse.
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Vintage Pair of Brass Wall Hooks Walter Bosse, 1950s, Austria
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
This rare Mid-Century Modern vintage pair of brass wall hooks "Max & Moritz" was designed by Walter Bosse 1950s Austria. The figures “Max & Moritz" are reminiscent of Wilhelm Busch...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Bottle Holder by Walter Bosse
By Aloys F. Gangkofner, Walter Bosse, Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Hans-Agne Jakobsson
Located in München, DE
Very nice bottle holder from the 1950s. Attention to detail and high-quality workmanship. An asset to any home. Design: Walter Bosse Condition: Very good vintage condition with sl...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Horse brass figurine bosse around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Horse brass figurine bosse around 1950s Brass blackened Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Bosse pipe holder vienna around 1950s ( marked on Bottom )
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Bosse pipe holder vienna around 1950s ( marked on Bottom ) Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Large Pony Horse Figurine Statue Walter Bosse, Vienna Austria, 1960s Midcentury
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1960s Austrian figurine, designed by Walter Bosse. Nice addition to your room, on your desk top or just for your collection of Austrian midcentury items. Charming, big ...
Category

1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Letter Holder by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Letter holder by Walter Bosse.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Brass Key Hanger Sea God and Mermaid, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming and rare key holder, displaying a sea god and a mermaid. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of brass, in good condition with nice patina. Also suitable as a towel holder or for dish towels...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Small Rooster Figurine by Walter Bosse, Vienna, Around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Small rooster figurine by Walter Bosse, Vienna, around 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Huge Pottery Ceramic Horse Sculpture, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely and huge handmade figurine / statue displaying a horse dated from 1947 to 1951. Designed by Walter Bosse, made of ceramic / terracotta in Kufst...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Terracotta, Stoneware, Pottery, Ceramic

Walter Bosse pencil holder around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse pencil holder around 1950 Original condition Pencil not included
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Key Hanger by Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse key hanger by Hertha Baller, Austria, 1950s. Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Hedgehog Set Ashtray in Brass by Walter Bosse for Herta Baller, 1955, Set of 6
By Walter Bosse
Located in CADALSO, ES
With all the pieces rare to find
Category

1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Small Walter Bosse Cat Figurine Around 1950s, 'Marked'
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Small Walter bosse cat figurine around 1950s Brass, Nickel - plated Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass, Nickel

Hedgehog Sculpture by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
Hedgehog by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Metal

Walter Bosse Candleholder 'Bear', circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse Candleholder 'Bear', circa 1950s Original condition The candle is not included it is only for the photoshooting
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Large Baby Deer Pottery Ceramic Sculpture, Austria, 1920s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming and large handmade figurine / statue depicting a baby deer / fawn. Originally designed as a doorstop by Walter Bosse and manufactured between 1924 and 1936 in Kufstein, Ty...
Category

1920s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Terracotta

Walter Bosse Elephant Brass Key Hanger by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming and rare key holder, displaying five elephants in different sizes. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller, Austria, in the 1950s. Also suitable as a towel holder or for dish towels...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Corkscrew Horseshoe Vienna, Austria, 1950s, Mid-Century
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s Austrian Walter Bosse design corkscrew in the form of a horseshoe. Nice addition to your room or just for your collection of Austrian bronze items. Found at an es...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Walter Bosse Cancer Zodiac Sign Brass Figurine, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse cancer zodiac sign brass figurine, 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Set of 7 Mid-Century Modern Massive Brass Animals, Austria, 1960s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Set of 7 Mid-Century Modern Massive Brass Animals, Austria, 1960s. Very good condition. Goat: 7cm Flamingo: 7cm Penguin: 4cm Frog: 1,5cm Dalphin: 6cm Deer: 7cm Bear: 9cm
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Brass Key Hanger Donkey, Dog, Cat and Cock, Herta Baller, Austria
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming and rare key hook or holder, featuring a donkey, a dog, a cat, and a rooster. Together, they represent "The Town Musicians of Bremen," a fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Cow Figurine Table Thermometer by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming sculptural Austrian midcentury desk thermometer, displaying a cow with a lantern-shaped thermometer. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Cancer Zodiac Sign Brass Figurine by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful Cancer figurine, made of brass, designed by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller, Austria, in the 1950s. In very good condition. We offer more Water Bosse brass objec...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Miniature Cat Figurine by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic mid-century 1950s Vienna bronze figurine by Walter Bosse. Found at an estate sale in Vienna, Austria.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Walter Bosse Brass Giraffe Sculpture Figurine, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming mid century giraffe figurine, made of brass. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed in the 1950s by Hertha Baller Austria. In excelle...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Big Brass Cat Bottle Holder by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Big brass cat bottle holder by Walter Bosse, circa 1950s (The Bottle is only decoration, not for sale) Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Candleholder by Walter Bosse
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Candleholder by Walter Bosse. Excellent original condition.  
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Holder for 3 pipes by walter bosse vienna around 1950s
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Holder for 3 pipes by walter bosse vienna around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse Cow Figurine with Thermometer by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Austrian desk thermometer, consisting of a nice cow figurine and a lantern-shaped thermometer. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by H...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Walter Bosse Furniture

Materials

Brass

Walter Bosse furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Walter Bosse furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Walter Bosse furniture, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Walter Bosse were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Herta Baller, Franz Hagenauer, and Karl Hagenauer. Prices for Walter Bosse furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $111 and can go as high as $3,400, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $360.

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