Ueber den altdeutschen Meistergesang – Jacob Grimm Göttingen: Heinrich Dieterich, 1811. 194, [2] pages. 20cm x 12cm. Hardcover with black marbled carboard binding, gilt lettered red label on the spine, and red edges. First edition of this foundational work of German philology that established the scientific study of the Meistersinger (master singers) tradition. It provides a literary-historical analysis of the transition from medieval courtly love poetry (Minnesang) to the more formalistic, guild-based poetry of the urban master singers.Comes with an engraved title vignette. Some rubbing, bumping, wear, and soiling to the boards and spine. The paper covering of the binding is chipped off slightly at the edges of the boards and along the spine. Pencil markings on the back pastedown endpaper. Very little browning and spotting throughout, mostly on the title page and the table of contents at the back. The text is bright and clear, the paper is crisp, and the binding is solid. Overall, an attractive copy in very good condition.