Hurra! Ein Kriegsbilderbuch
Stuttgart: Loewes Verlag Ferdinand Carl, [1915]. First edition. Hardcover. Folio (12 x 9"). 23 leaves. Original illustrated paper covered boards with black lettering on cover, protected by modern mylar. Green paper on inside covers.
Illustrated with numerous color illustrations, "Hurrah!" tells the story of a young German boy's dream in the early stages of WWI.
In the first part of his dream, young Willi (representing Germany), accompanied by his dog, fights victoriously the French troops and their colonial troops. Many are killed, and the remaining French soldiers are seen fleeing on rabbit- and frogback.
After dealing with the French troops, Willy now turns his attention to British soldiers charging on crickets, and to a giant ogre representing a British colonial Indian. Both are also easily defeated.
In the second part of the book, Willy heads speedily towards East Prussia to face the invading Russians, here associated with rats. After crushing the "barbarian" Russians, Willy goes to Austria and meet with his Austrian friend Franzl and helps him defeat the Russians and the Serbs.
After so many "victories," Willy and his dog end up slightly wounded, but quickly recover in a German field hospital.
Once back on his feet, Willy jumps into a U-boot and gets himself busy torpedoing British ships. In the following illustration, him and his dog are piloting a Zeppelin and seem to enjoy bombing England where not only factories are engulfed in flames, but also several churches and other buildings. Terror-stricken civilians and soldiers alike are seen fleeing the inferno.
The last image of the dream show both Willy and Franzl crowned with laurels and passing under an arch of triumph flanked with the German flag and a banner in yellow and black, and topped with an inscription saying: 'Heil den Siegern!" (Hail to the victors!).
In the last illustration, young Willy falls off his bed and awakes in his mother's arms. After his mother told him that he had been dreaming, Willy replies that it was too good to be a dream!
Text in German, gothic script. Light wear along edges of covers, small chips and two one inch closed tears at top and bottom of front joint. Small dealer sticker on inside front cover. Very good condition. Item #46611
Price: $1,500.00