This is a rare, possibly one-of-a-kind book from the 1870s. It is illustrated in L. Hoffmann's interpretations of the paintings of Wilhelm von Kaulbach. It is published by Stroefer and Kirchner, New York, but printed by Bar und Hermann in Leipzig. The English translation is by Henry Dale. The book is inscribed: "to Miss Mary A. Cowen, Christmas 1888" in beautiful 19th century sepia penmanship. This is a large, album-sized book--13" by 10 1/2" bound in red and black leather with gold inlay and gold fore edged pages. The book is still tightly bound, but there is a fair amount of wear around the corners and edges of the cover. The spine is in remarkably good condition. The inside is in fine condition save for some age spots, which might add a little to the historic flavor of the piece. The end papers feature a glossy marbled paper of dark red and green. deals The Hoffman illustrations are on stiff card stock while the other pages are on heavy paper.
Goethe's "Hermann und Dorothea" was written in 1796. It is an epic poem of the triumph of love set during the Napoleonic Wars . It is in nine cantos each introduced by one of the Nine Muses. Each of these is introduced by an etching of one of the Muses.
Product code: Goethe's deals "Hermann and Dorothea" 1875 illustrated album book