Erinnerung and Norderney (Memories of Norderney)
Frankfurt: August Frey. Hardcover. Duodecimo (6 x 5"). 12 Leaf Leporello. Original Kaliko portfolio with intricate gilt-stamped decor and lettering on cover, blind-stamped decor on back cover, protected by modern mylar. Rare souvenir book with 50 images of landmarks at Germany's oldest North Sea Spa Resort (since 1797), the island of Norderney. The images of Norderney landmarks are displayed in photomontage and produced in photolithography by experts of the trade, the "Souvenir-Album-Manufacturer" August Frey, Frankfurt.
Norderney welcomed Jews, as opposed to other resorts, especially Borkum, which billed itself as "Judenfrei." It was the only resort in Germany that built a stately synagogue for a vacation community. Norderney was popular among Jewish German citizens, Franz Kafka visited the island for its healthy climate, and "...in 1878, with permission of Kaiser Wilhelm II. and the help of many wealthy and influential donors, a small and unpretentious building was erected. The architect was probably Edwin Oppler, one of the most important German-Jewish architects of the second half of the nineteenth century." (Historic Cities and Sacred Sites, Ismail Serageldin et al (eds.), World Bank, 2000.)
The album features a panorama view of the island in the center of the first leaves, surrounded by photographs of the Convention Center, the Beach Hall building, the pier, the Dune Hall, the Bathing Inspection building and two hotels. There are a total of nineteen photographs of hotels and restaurants, the market place, villas at the Western beach, the library, a children's sanatorium, the Catholic and Lutheran churches, the synagogue, the lighthouse, the Post Office, various photographs of beach scenarios, the beach personnel and sailing parties. All photographs with captions. Text in German. Binding with some wear along edges, few small scuff but gilt decor and lettering intact, rubbed. Small chip of plate six at bottom gutter, not affecting images. Starting at inside back cover. Binding in overall good-, Leporello in very good condition, except for first fold. g- to vg-. Item #47157
Price: $450.00