P. & R. Dehmel, Ernst Kreidolf, H. Hoffmann, L. Meggendorfer - Fitzebutze, Struwwelpeter, Meggendorfer Blätter - 1876-1902

THREE CLASSICS OF HISTORICAL CHILDREN’S BOOK ILLUSTRATION – STRUWWELPETER, FITZEBUTZE AND LOTHAR MEGGENDORFER

Three richly illustrated children’s books from the 19th century and around 1900 – featuring a historical Struwwelpeter anniversary leaf, Art Nouveau illustrations by Ernst Kreidolf, and humorous picture stories by Lothar Meggendorfer.

An appealing collection representing three important areas of German children’s book history: Heinrich Hoffmann’s classic picture book, Meggendorfer’s humorous picture stories, and the artistic renewal of children’s books by Ernst Kreidolf around 1900.

1. FITZEBUTZE – All Kinds of Fripperies for Children

Paula and Richard Dehmel – illustrations by Ernst Kreidolf

Cologne, Schaffstein & Co., 1901. Third edition.

40 pages, plus front and rear endpapers.

One of the significant artist-illustrated books of the German Art Nouveau period. The imaginative verses by Paula and Richard Dehmel are accompanied by Ernst Kreidolf’s expressive, sometimes full-page color illustrations.

Particularly noteworthy are the stylized plant and animal motifs, the decorative use of flat areas of color, and the distinctive, fairytale-like figures. An outstanding example of the artistic reform of children’s books around 1900.

Condition: Historical original text block in a later, newly designed binding. The decorative endpapers are also reproductions; the text and illustration pages are original. Signs of age and use, with some stains, creases, and edge damage. In the rear section, two or three pages have small holes or areas of paper loss, in some cases within the illustrations, without substantially affecting the images overall. See photographs.

2. DER STRUWWELPETER – Heinrich Hoffmann

Historical edition with the color anniversary leaf for the hundredth edition of 1876 (1845–1876).

Frankfurt am Main, Literarische Anstalt von Rütten & Loening.

24 numbered leaves, plus the additional anniversary leaf 1b and a text leaf placed at the front.

The world-famous children’s book classic, with its characteristic color-illustrated stories, including the story of Struwwelpeter, the story of the wicked Frederick, and other well-known picture stories.

Of particular interest is the elaborately color-printed anniversary leaf, featuring numerous Struwwelpeter characters and commemorating the hundredth edition.

Condition: Original historical text and illustration leaves, later bound in a private binding. The front cover has been decoratively fitted with a reproduction of the historical anniversary leaf. The binding itself is therefore not original. The leaves show age-related signs of use, including some stains, creases, small tears at the edges, and older damage. The exact printing of the text block has not been definitively determined.

3. LOTHAR MEGGENDORFER – Five Funny Stories

Verses by Franz Bonn.

Includes:

* The Stubborn Pig
* Clever Minka
* The Good Storks
* The Wicked Painter
* The Poodle

Munich, Braun & Schneider, around 1900.

32 pages.

A particularly charming collection of humorous picture stories by the famous Munich illustrator Lothar Meggendorfer (1847–1925), who became internationally known above all for his imaginative children’s books and movable books.

The stories feature numerous lively color illustrations. People and animals are depicted with great wit, expressiveness, and narrative detail.

Condition: Original publisher’s binding with color illustrations. Age-appropriate signs of wear to the binding and some pages with finger marks. The illustrations retain their color well.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Three interesting historical children’s books with numerous color illustrations, including works by three important artists in the history of German children’s books.

Particularly appealing are Ernst Kreidolf’s original Art Nouveau illustrations, the historical Struwwelpeter anniversary leaf, and Lothar Meggendorfer’s humorous picture stories.

The books show age-related wear and have been partly restored and/or rebound. Original and supplementary components are clearly distinguished above.

A collectible set for lovers of historical picture books, German children’s book art, and Art Nouveau.

See the detailed photographs for condition and features.