Die Sonette an Orpheus. Geschrieben als ein Grab-Mal für Wera Ouckama Knoop (The Sonnets to Orpheus. Written as a Monument for Wera Ouckama Knoop)
Leipzig: Insel-Verlag, 1923. First edition. Hardcover. Large Octavo. 63 [1]pp. Professionally rebacked tan quarter-cloth over marbled boards with gilt lettering and decorative ruling on debossed green leather label of cover and green leather label on spine.
Inspired by the death of Wera Ouckama Knoop, playmate of Rilke's daughter, the Sonnets to Orpheus were written in February of 1922 at the Chateau de Muzot during a creative three-week period Rilke described as "savage creative storm." With Rilke's Duino Elegies, finished at the same time, the Sonnets are considered Rilke's masterpieces though Robert Musil highlights the Duino Elegies as the peak of Rilke's and German poetry. Subtitled as a monument for the young dancer and friend of Rilke's daughter, it's difficult to find direct references to that effect in the sonnets, and the Myth of Orpheus doesn't play the role one might expect. The structure of the rhymes, metric and cadences vary throughout. Printed notes on two sonnets on last page.
Ex Libris of Alexander (Alec) Stillmark on inside cover. Stillmark was awarded the Austrian Federal Chancellor's prize for translation three times. One of the translations was Hofmannsthal's title "The Incorruptable Servant." Text in German. Light wear and sunning along edges of binding. Some very light water staining along most of foredge block. Very good- condition. Item #55386
Price: $450.00