Anthropophyteia Jahrbücher für Folkloristische Erhebungen und Forschungen zur Entwicklungsgeschichte der geschlechtlichen Moral (Yearbooks for folkloristic surveys and research related to the history of sexual morals) 10 Vols. (Complete)
Leipzig: Deutsche Verlags-Aktien-Gesellschaft, 1904–1918. Hardcover. Quarto (11 5/8 x 7 7/8"). Each volume with approx. 500pp. Volume 2 with 32pp., and volume 3 with 8pp. additional advertisement insert bound in at rear. Four in original red cloth (vols. 1, 2, 3, 8), one in original black cloth (Vol. 4) and five in original light red quarter cloth over darker red cloth, all with gilt lettering on covers and spine. Red endpapers and gray in black cloth volume. Publisher's device on title page, and editorial staff listed on title pages. Illustrated with numerous b/w reproductions of photographs and drawings on 114 plates.
Groundbreaking work dedicated to Prof. Dr. Franz Boas, German-born American "father" of American anthropology and member of the editorial staff of Anthropophyteia. Complete set of this important ethnological and sexual science collection. "Anthropophyteia was founded by Friedrich S. Krauss as a sequel to "Kryptadia" [1883–1911] and presumably contains the most comprehensive collection of ethnological sexual research. It is considered the most important work of the Vienna scholar. Many ethnologists, physicians and scholars of law collaborated in this enterprise, including Sigmund Freud starting in 1910. "Anthropophyteia" was published privately, excluding the book trade and the public for scholars who had enjoyed a scientific education and therefore acquired impartiality; an essential precondition for the factual assessment of natural phenomena." (Hayn/Gotendorf IX, 12ff - Stern-Szana 63 - Rose 3525).
In his foreword Krauss stresses the fact that serious research in the field of ethnology demands consideration of the development of sexual customs and the judicial and religious views that are based on these customs. Krauss directly challenges what he calls the aesthetically refined culture and educated classes of society who consider the topic raw, hideous and nefarious, looking at anything related to sexual instincts with doubt or disdain. Despite its success and accomplishments, ethnology so far all but neglected the sexual customs in its research. Krauss goes as far as citing de Sade: 'sexual relations are the center and axis of all social life; they are the oldest, first, most enduring and basic social phenomenon... It is not irrelevant and worthless for the botanist to explore the soil and the conditions necessary for a tree to thrive, and subsequently the ethnologist is obliged, to comprehend the circumstances and relations of procreation.'
The volumes are illustrated with one-hundred and fourteen b/w reproductions of photographs and drawings, depicting Ethiopian adornments, pendants and ritual scenes, Dalmatian folk garbs, erotic tattoos, chastity belts, phallic amulets from Austria, tomb vessels depicting anal coitus from Trujillo and Chimbote, Peru, erotic embroidery from Serbia, depiction of Japanese phallic cult objects, Japanese stimulants, depiction of homosexuality in China, fertility magic from Nigeria, garments from the Balkan area, corps admixtures, Roman and Egyptian erotica, prostitutes in Djubouti, among many other ancient, indigenous, and contemporary erotic depiction.
Despite of his precautionary measures Krauss became the target of the censorship boards. In the end, after eight successful lawsuits, Krauss was forced to shut down the series and the inventory was confiscated. These "Erotic Magic-Delusion Trials (Erotische Zauberwahnprozesse)" are documented by Krauss in the appendix of volume X.
Contributing editors of this groundbreaking publication are: Franz Boas, German born American anthropologist and pioneer of modern anthropology; often referred to as the father of American anthropology, Hermann Obst, director for the Leipzig Museum of Ethnology; Giuseppe Pitrè, a Italian folklorist, medical doctor and senator, known for his inclusion of manifestations of popular life into the realm of folklore, among others. Following the dedicatiion page in volume one is a reproduction of a letter from Boas to Krauss relating to Krauss' publications on South-Slavic folklore traditions relating to intercourse.
Volumes one and two partially unopened at top and foredge. Edges except for volume eight uncut. Except for volume eight all others rubbed and with light wear along edges. Some with light water staining, volume six more affected. Some joints with tears. Volume five with spine mostly cracked. Blocks lightly age-toned. Some plates with closed tears in margins, not affecting images. Volume eight in very good+ condition. g- to vg+. Item #48055
Friedrich Salomon Krauss (1859–1938) was a Croatian Austrian Jewish sexologist and ethnographer. He was awarded a degree in classical philology from the University of Vienna. Krauss was the foremost researchers on Slavic ethnography and folklore. During a field trip from 1884–1885 to Bosnia, Herzegovina and Dalmatia he created one of the largest collections of Guslar epic songs. After he had turned his attention to erotic folklore he ventured to publish the Anthropophyteia Yearbooks laying the groundwork for the emerging Viennese psychoanalytical school. Krauss published books on the customs of the Southern Slaves and the beauty and grace of woman. One of his first books, a translation of Artemidoros' of Daldis "Interpretation of Dreams" was cited in Freud's 1899 publication with the same title. The Anthropophyteia Yearbooks were banned in 1913, he was brought to trial and convicted as a pornographer in Berlin.
Price: $1,250.00