Friedrich Schiller - Lied von der Glocke - Deluxe Edition with 12 Phototypes - 1885

Exceptionally lavish 19th-century deluxe edition of Friedrich Schiller's famous poem Das Lied von der Glocke, published in Munich in 1885 by the Verlagsanstalt für Kunst und Wissenschaft, formerly Friedrich Bruckmann.

This large-format edition was issued in a representative deluxe binding. The original red cloth publisher's binding features striking embossing and extensive gold decoration, combined with black details and a central title panel. The spine was also richly gilded, and all three edges of the book are gilt. The endpapers are beautifully decorated.

Schiller's text is spread over 24 richly designed pages. Each page is surrounded by finely crafted Historicist ornaments, including floral motifs, vases, putti, and symbolic details.

Particularly notable are the twelve full-page illustrations based on compositions by the German artists Andreas Müller and Carl Jäger. These were reproduced for this edition in phototype/light printing, a high-quality 19th-century photomechanical printing technique. Eight of the images are based on works by Andreas Müller and four on works by Carl Jäger. The extensive ornamental design was created from designs by H. Göß.

The heavy leaves are partially attached to the spine with flexible hinged strips, an original bookbinding construction that makes it easier to open the large book.

An exceptionally decorative edition in which 19th-century book art, photography, and illustration come together. Due to its large format, gilt edges, and especially its richly decorated original binding, the book is a striking object even when closed.

Details:

• Author: Friedrich von Schiller
• Title: Das Lied von der Glocke
• Illustrators: Andreas Müller and Carl Jäger
• Ornaments: H. Göß
• Publisher: Verlagsanstalt für Kunst und Wissenschaft, formerly Friedrich Bruckmann
• Place of publication: Munich
• Year: 1885
• Language: German
• Text: 24 pages
• Illustrations: 12 full-page plates in phototype/light printing
• Binding: original red cloth deluxe binding
• Decoration: extensive gold and embossed printing with black accents
• Endpapers: decoratively printed
• Edges: gilt all around
• Format: large quarto
• Dimensions: approx. 30.8 × 23.8 cm
• Thickness: approx. 2.5 cm
• Origin: Germany

Condition:
Fair to good antiquarian condition. The original deluxe binding shows clear signs of use and age. The red color and gilding of the spine are visibly faded, and the head, tail, corners, and edges show wear. The richly decorated front cover has been preserved considerably better, and the gold decoration and black details are still strikingly bright.

The interior is generally neat for its age, with normal yellowing and occasional light age spots. The illustrations and decorative borders have been beautifully preserved. In the first section, several leaves have become almost detached, and the binding is fragile. The remaining gatherings are still in place, but due to their age, they should be handled carefully. The original hinged construction at the spine is largely still present. See the photos for a complete picture of the condition.