Das verhexte Telefon
Berlin: Williams & Co., 1931. First edition. Hardcover. Quarto. Unpaginated (20pp.). Original blue cloth backed color illustrated boards with blue lettering on cover. Erich Kästner was a poet, writer, and satirist, and though known as an important intellectual in Berlin during the decade leading up to the Nazi reign, he was best known for his children's books, in particular "Emil und die Detektive." After the Nazis took over in 1933 he decided, after a brief stay in Switzerland, to stay in Berlin because he felt he could chronicle the times better staying in Germany. Subsequently he was interrogated by the Nazis several times and eventually witnessed the infamous book burning on May 10th, 1933 in person. Walter Trier on the other hand was bitterly opposed to the Nazis and emigrated to London in 1936 where he helped the British Ministry of Information produce anti-Nazi leaflets and political propaganda. Prior to the Nazi takeover Trier and Kästner collaborated on most of Kästner's important children's books. Text in German. Binding rubbed with ink smudge on front, light soiling on back cover. Spine with two small closed tears. Upper right corner bumped and creased with small piece of cover chipped. Previous owner's name penciled in Sütterlin on front endpaper. Book block slightly age-toned. Very light sporadic foxing. Binding in overall good-, interior in good to very good condition. g. Item #35414
Price: $400.00