Eric Chaim Kline, Bookseller - Old and Rare Books

Neue dramatische Schwänke (New Dramatic Comedies) [WITH] Neue Possen und Marionettenspiele. Zur Erschütterung des Zwerchfells (New Burleques and Marionette Plays. To Shock the Diaphragm [WITH] Die travestierte Jungfrau von Orleans. Posse in zwei Akten (A Travesty of the Maid of Orleans [WITH] Der travestierte Nathan der Weise. Posse in zwei Akten (A Travesty of Nathan the Wise)

Voß, Julius von (Voss)

Berlin: Various publishers, 1817. First edition. Hardcover. Duodecimo. 348 (1), 339 (1), 1 plate, xxviii, (4) 108 (1), frontispiece and title page engraving, xxii, 192 (1)pp. Bound in black half leather over marbled boards with gilt lettering and ruling on spine. Speckled edges, decorative endpapers. Collection of First Editions. I. Goedeke XI/1, 560, 24 - II. Goedeke XI/1, 565. 38 - Hayn-Gotendorf VIII, 279- III. Goedeke XI/1, 556, 1, and V. 226 - Hayn-Gotendorf III, 491 - IV/1 556, 2 and IV/1, 457 - Hayn-Gotendorf V, 337 - Seifert, Lessing 5775.

First and only complete edition of the early edition of "Der travestierte Nathan der Weise.* One of the rare works of the genre. It was confiscated due to political innuendo towards Napoleon I. and Alexander I." (Heinrich Stümke, Fortsetzung, Nachahmungen und Travestien von Lessings Nathan, 1904).

Julius von Voß (1768-1832) had founded the "Berliner Lokalposse" and he may be viewed as 'the most interesting interpreter of the Jews of his time: his affection for their disillusioned way to cope with life in their marginal existence was unmistakable. Again and again he juxtaposed this quality by efficient use of the Yiddish language or (perceived) Jewish character traits with the artistic debauchery and bookishness of intellectual circles." (Killy XII, 65ff.)

Best known for his comical novel "Die Schildbürger (The Fooltownites)" Voss was a most prolific writer of comedies, farces, and satirical parodies. His novel "Ini. Ein Roman aus dem einundzwanzigsten Jahrhundert (Ini. A novel from the 21st Century)" is considered to be the first German science fiction novel.

Contents:

1. Neue dramatische Schwänke. Berlin, Schüppelsche Buchhandlung. 1817. Die Einquartierungspein; Frau Rußkachel, oder die betrogene Stiefmutter; Die Bettelherberge; Der Erste April; Liebe auf dem Lande.

2. Neue Possen und Marionettenspiele (1826); Edited by Julius von Voß; Berlin, Schüppelsche Buchhandlung. 1826.
Moliere, oder Das Lustspiel aus der Posse, mit Schattenspiel; Der Tabacksspinner oder Auf Ehre, so geht's; Die regierende Frau; Die wegelaufene Frau Professorin; Der grosse Hamilkar; Das Judenkonzert in Krakau; Der Polterabend.

3. Die travestierte Jungfrau von Orleans. Berlin. Posse in zwei Akten mit Prolog und Epilog. Berlin. Johann Wilhelm Schmid. 1803. Frontispiece copper engraving, untitled. Avantpropos; A. W. Schlegel der allerchristlichste Dichter.

4. Der travestierte Nathan der Weise. Posse in zwei Akten mit Intermezzos, Chören, Tanz, gelehrtem Zweikampf, Mord und Totschlag. Berlin, Johann Wilhelm Schmid. 1804. Frontispiece and title page with copper engravings.

Text in German, Gothic script. Light wear along edges of binding with very light scuffs on spine. Bookplate of Library of Aug. Hartwig on inside front cover. Block of third work lightly age-toned. Very good+ condition. Item #54149

* "Here I am handing you Nathan in a wanton carnival costume, not to the reading world as a whole.... but a small circle who might find pleasure in something like this. [And, after a slightly quizzical excursion about serious Germans and the professions and habits of academics] advises those who get their hands on this farce, to throw it out right away. [And, after a caustic critic of reviewers and their addiction to reprimand} Those should know that it is not my first rule to make everything look farcical, like Blumauer and A. v. Kotzebue (though with a lot of wit). ... I am not just looking for opportunities to make a farce of everything, but tell the truth as well as morals. This is, by nature, much easier, in this kind of format... Therefore the depiction of Nathan's character and domestic environment is nothing but a caricature... Recha is a femme savante who we encounter in great German cities many of. However, I am asking of the commendable Jews, because I am depicting another than the Nathan of Lessing, not to put me into the category of enemies... I am, in relation to Jews, neutrality itself." (Preface).

Julius von Voss (1768-1832) was considered a great literary talent who fell pray to popular demands of the audience of the time. Hast and at times questionable literary methods overshadowed his great talent. Vulgarity counterpointed with wit and keen observations was his trademark. His works on the lapidated condition of the Prussian military as well as government employment are considered to be of great cultural value. After his service in the Prussian military Voß traveld through Germany, France, Sweden, and Italy before settling in Berlin. His play "Strahlower Fischzug" was one of the first attempts of what came to be known as the "Berliner Posse." (Brockhaus Konversations-Lexikon, 1908).

Price: $3,750.00