Robert Koenig - German Literary History - Deluxe Fine Binding with 43 Appendices - 1881

A monumental illustrated history of German literature, published by Velhagen & Klasing in 1881 and presented in an exceptionally richly decorated luxury binding.

Robert Koenigs Deutsche Literaturgeschichte covers the development of German-language literature from the earliest Germanic and medieval sources to the major writers and movements of the 19th century. This eleventh edition comprises 840 pages and is richly illustrated with 254 images in the text and 43 separate, partially coloured plates.

These plates, in particular, make the edition special. Throughout the book are numerous facsimiles of historical manuscripts, early editions, autographs and other literary sources. Several of these can be unfolded well beyond the edges of the text block. Examples include reproductions of medieval manuscripts, the Codex Argenteus, the Codex Manesse, early printed works, musical notation from the time of Martin Luther and a large facsimile of a manuscript page by Goethe.

The original luxury binding also forms an important part of the book. The half-leather publisher's binding features extensive gold and blind tooling, a richly decorated spine, full red edges and particularly fine gilt endpapers. The result is a characteristic example of the richly finished German book production of the Gründerzeit.

The copy is in good antiquarian condition. The binding, hinges and text block are firm and the extensive decoration has been attractively preserved. There is clear wear and loss of material at the top of the spine. The interior shows scattered foxing and normal signs of age. Some of the large fold-out plates show signs of use and small tears along the edges or folds.

Details

• Author: Robert Koenig
• Title: Deutsche Literaturgeschichte
• Publisher: Verlag von Velhagen & Klasing
• Place of publication: Bielefeld and Leipzig
• Year: 1881
• Edition: eleventh edition, corresponding to the ninth and tenth editions
• Extent: VIII + 840 pages
• Illustrations: 254 images in the text
• Plates: originally published with 43 partially coloured plates and facsimiles
• Printer: Fischer & Wittig, Leipzig
• Language: German
• Typeface: mainly Fraktur
• Binding: original luxury half-leather publisher's binding
• Decoration: extensive gold and blind tooling
• Endpapers: richly gilt-decorated endpapers
• Edges: full red edges
• Dimensions: approx. 24 × 18 cm
• Thickness: approx. 6.5 cm
• Period: Gründerzeit, late 19th century
• Origin: Germany
• Condition: good antiquarian condition, with wear and loss of material at the head of the spine, scattered foxing and signs of use to some fold-out plates