The Great Illustrated Private Press Books (TGIPPB) - Book #4
Talk Fine Press Forum
Join LibraryThing to post.
This topic is currently marked as "dormant"—the last message is more than 90 days old. You can revive it by posting a reply.
1dlphcoracl
Book #4
Balladen by Johann Wolfgang v. Goethe, Dr. Julius Schröder, 1919.
In last month's article 'You're Not My Type' I introduced LT Fine Press Forum readers to two remarkable books published between the wars in the Weimar Republic of Germany, the Officina Serpentis 'Parzival' and Faust Erster Teil (Faust Part One) from Dr. Julius Schröder. Two links to articles posted on the Books and Vines website several years ago which provided an introduction to Dr. Schröder's private press and his two finest works - Hamlet and Faust Erster Teil - were given and are included again below:
Hamlet: https://booksandvines.com/2011/11/02/hamlet-by-william-shakespeare-1920-edition-...
Faust: https://booksandvines.com/2011/12/08/faust-by-johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-from-ju...
Those of you who followed these links are read both articles noticed that these two editions had a common thread - they were both illustrated by an extraordinarily talented artist named Sepp Frank. LT FPF reader 'gmurphy' astutely noted that the three illustrations I posted for Book #4 in 'No More Mr. Nice Guy' bear a striking resemblance and are indeed the work of Sepp Frank, again commissioned by Dr. Julius Schröder. However, the edition is not Hamlet, it is an edition of 'Balladen' by Johann Wolfgang v. Goethe. This edition appears to precede Dr. Schröder's 'Meisterwerke der Weltliterature' series by one year.
As best I can determine, Dr. Julius Schröder began his own private press in Munich in 1920 and from 1920-1928 published approximately 16 to 18 books in his Meisterwerke series. Each edition was published with a set of original illustrations chosen from a small group of 4-5 gifted artists, most of whom worked in a classical style. However, Sepp Frank's work was very much "of its time" and is distinctly German Expressionist. His stark, haunting illustrations were a perfect pairing with the troubled, angst-ridden characters of Hamlet and Faust. According to the colophon, this edition of 'Balladen' was published in 1919 and the printing was divided between Otto von Holten in Berlin and Heinrich Wetterroth in Munich, released and published by Paul Graupe Verlag in Berlin. Apparently, Dr. Schröder had not as yet made the decision to found his own private press (or was in the process of establishing his own private press) in Munich when his work began on Goethe's 'Balladen'.
This edition contains 31 poems accompanied by 34 illustrations, each signed in pencil by the artist in the lower right-hand corner of each drawing. The illustrations were reproduced with exceptional care and each has a tissue guard. This edition was published in an edition of 117 copies with No. 1 printed on vellum pages, 37 copies printed on handmade Japan Bütten paper (probably from the Zanders paper mill in Germany) and the remainder on Imperial Japan (machine-made) paper. The binding is full vellum with strapwork at the book spine, beveled edges with gilt design on the dentelles and a blind-stamped illustration and titling with hand-colouring on the front cover. It is one of the special editions printed on handmade Japan vellum.
Photos to follow. The name of the specific Goethe ballad/poem each illustration is associated with is given.
Note: My German translations for the Goethe 'ballade' may not be accurate or may not be in the context of the poetry cycle. Anyone fluent in German or familiar with Goethe's 'Balladen' who can correct or improve my translations is certainly welcome to do so, and it will be appreciated.
Balladen by Johann Wolfgang v. Goethe, Dr. Julius Schröder, 1919.
In last month's article 'You're Not My Type' I introduced LT Fine Press Forum readers to two remarkable books published between the wars in the Weimar Republic of Germany, the Officina Serpentis 'Parzival' and Faust Erster Teil (Faust Part One) from Dr. Julius Schröder. Two links to articles posted on the Books and Vines website several years ago which provided an introduction to Dr. Schröder's private press and his two finest works - Hamlet and Faust Erster Teil - were given and are included again below:
Hamlet: https://booksandvines.com/2011/11/02/hamlet-by-william-shakespeare-1920-edition-...
Faust: https://booksandvines.com/2011/12/08/faust-by-johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-from-ju...
Those of you who followed these links are read both articles noticed that these two editions had a common thread - they were both illustrated by an extraordinarily talented artist named Sepp Frank. LT FPF reader 'gmurphy' astutely noted that the three illustrations I posted for Book #4 in 'No More Mr. Nice Guy' bear a striking resemblance and are indeed the work of Sepp Frank, again commissioned by Dr. Julius Schröder. However, the edition is not Hamlet, it is an edition of 'Balladen' by Johann Wolfgang v. Goethe. This edition appears to precede Dr. Schröder's 'Meisterwerke der Weltliterature' series by one year.
As best I can determine, Dr. Julius Schröder began his own private press in Munich in 1920 and from 1920-1928 published approximately 16 to 18 books in his Meisterwerke series. Each edition was published with a set of original illustrations chosen from a small group of 4-5 gifted artists, most of whom worked in a classical style. However, Sepp Frank's work was very much "of its time" and is distinctly German Expressionist. His stark, haunting illustrations were a perfect pairing with the troubled, angst-ridden characters of Hamlet and Faust. According to the colophon, this edition of 'Balladen' was published in 1919 and the printing was divided between Otto von Holten in Berlin and Heinrich Wetterroth in Munich, released and published by Paul Graupe Verlag in Berlin. Apparently, Dr. Schröder had not as yet made the decision to found his own private press (or was in the process of establishing his own private press) in Munich when his work began on Goethe's 'Balladen'.
This edition contains 31 poems accompanied by 34 illustrations, each signed in pencil by the artist in the lower right-hand corner of each drawing. The illustrations were reproduced with exceptional care and each has a tissue guard. This edition was published in an edition of 117 copies with No. 1 printed on vellum pages, 37 copies printed on handmade Japan Bütten paper (probably from the Zanders paper mill in Germany) and the remainder on Imperial Japan (machine-made) paper. The binding is full vellum with strapwork at the book spine, beveled edges with gilt design on the dentelles and a blind-stamped illustration and titling with hand-colouring on the front cover. It is one of the special editions printed on handmade Japan vellum.
Photos to follow. The name of the specific Goethe ballad/poem each illustration is associated with is given.
Note: My German translations for the Goethe 'ballade' may not be accurate or may not be in the context of the poetry cycle. Anyone fluent in German or familiar with Goethe's 'Balladen' who can correct or improve my translations is certainly welcome to do so, and it will be appreciated.
2dlphcoracl
Front cover of vellum binding:
3dlphcoracl
Rear cover of binding with Dr. Julius Schröder symbol:
4dlphcoracl
Title page:
5dlphcoracl
Sample text page:
6dlphcoracl
Sample text - macro view:
7dlphcoracl
Illustration from: Vom Vertriebenen und Zurückkehrenden Grafen ( The Exiled and Returning Count).
8dlphcoracl
Illustration from: Erlkönig (the Elf King).
9dlphcoracl
Illustration from: Der König in Thule (The King in Thule).
10dlphcoracl
Illustration from: Ritter Kurts Brautfahrt (Kurt's Wedding Ride).
11dlphcoracl
Illustration from: Die Wandelnde Glocke (The Walking Bell).
12dlphcoracl
Illustration from: Der getreue Eckart (the faithful Eckart).
13dlphcoracl
Illustration from: Der getreue Eckart (the faithful Eckart).
14dlphcoracl
Illustration from: Der Totentanz (the Dance of Death).
15dlphcoracl
Illustration from: Der Zauberlehrling (the Sorcerer's Apprentice).
16dlphcoracl
Illustration from: Der Gott und die Bajadere (God and the Bajadere). Note: A bajadere is a Hindu or Indian temple dancer.
17dlphcoracl
Illustration from Paria/Legende (the Legend of the Pariah).
18dlphcoracl
Illustration from: Dank des Paria (the Pariah's prayer of thanks).
19dlphcoracl
Colophon:
20dlphcoracl
Macro photo #1:
21dlphcoracl
Macro photo #2:
22dlphcoracl
Macro photo #3:
23SebRinelli
>1 dlphcoracl:
Wonderful book; and now on my ever-growing wish list!
Next month I will have some spare time to do a bit of research on the Julius Schröder Verlag. It seems that this is the first book of his series Meisterwerke der Weltliteratur. The Paul Graupe Verlag published another one before Schröder was able to publish on his own. More information, hopefully, once I can consult Rodenberg's (1925) Deutsche Pressen in the local university library.
Concerning your translations:
>11 dlphcoracl: The Walking Bell should be the correct translation, as the bell is actually waddling after the child.
>17 dlphcoracl: >18 dlphcoracl: Not sure what Schröder included in this edition but Paria is a trilogy consisting of three pieces:
Legende
Des Paria Gebet
Dank des Paria
The rest is perfect.
Wonderful book; and now on my ever-growing wish list!
Next month I will have some spare time to do a bit of research on the Julius Schröder Verlag. It seems that this is the first book of his series Meisterwerke der Weltliteratur. The Paul Graupe Verlag published another one before Schröder was able to publish on his own. More information, hopefully, once I can consult Rodenberg's (1925) Deutsche Pressen in the local university library.
Concerning your translations:
>11 dlphcoracl: The Walking Bell should be the correct translation, as the bell is actually waddling after the child.
>17 dlphcoracl: >18 dlphcoracl: Not sure what Schröder included in this edition but Paria is a trilogy consisting of three pieces:
Legende
Des Paria Gebet
Dank des Paria
The rest is perfect.
24dlphcoracl
>23 SebRinelli:
1. Originally, I was going to translate 'Die Wandelnde Glocke' as "the wandering bell", which would have been much closer. However, your translation and, more importantly, your explanation make perfect sense. Thank you.
2. This edition of 'Balladen' from Dr. J. Schröder contains all three pieces in 'Paria' and it is complete. The two illustrations in >17 dlphcoracl: and >18 dlphcoracl: both appear in the pages of the Paria trilogy.
Incidentally, if you discover any other publications by Dr. Schröder prior to 1920 in your research, please let me know - I would certainly consider adding them to my library.
1. Originally, I was going to translate 'Die Wandelnde Glocke' as "the wandering bell", which would have been much closer. However, your translation and, more importantly, your explanation make perfect sense. Thank you.
2. This edition of 'Balladen' from Dr. J. Schröder contains all three pieces in 'Paria' and it is complete. The two illustrations in >17 dlphcoracl: and >18 dlphcoracl: both appear in the pages of the Paria trilogy.
Incidentally, if you discover any other publications by Dr. Schröder prior to 1920 in your research, please let me know - I would certainly consider adding them to my library.
