Graf Peter der Däne: ein historische Gemählde

by Franz Alexander von Kleist

Berlin: Printed by Johann Georg Langhoff for Friedrich Vieweg, 1791

[4], 316, [2] p. | 8vo | pi^2 A-T^8 V^8(-V8) | 179 x 105 mm

First and only edition of the German writer’s dramatic poem on Piotr Włostowic (aka Peter Wlast or Peter the Dane), a 12th-century Polish knight who became something of a legend. True to its form, the work has many trappings of a dramatic script: a list of characters, act divisions, brief setting descriptions (e.g., “A room in Herzog’s castle”), dialog delivery notes (e.g., “melancholically, slowly”). Beneath the character list is even a note on the characters’ dress (“the clothes are old German”). Still, the author clearly notes in his foreword that the work is not intended for the stage (diess Gedicht nicht für die Bühne bestimmt ist). ¶ Kleist died young, just 27 years old, yet managed to publish a fair amount, even among his work for the Prussian army and administration. He was a member of the Enlightenment-inspired Halberstadt Literary Society (Literarische Gesellschaft Halberstadt), founded in 1785 to promote literature and culture in the Halberstadt area. They issued a weekly publication, met as often, and maintained a library. The society was dissolved in 1810, unable to survive the deaths of some prominent members and French occupation. ¶ A rare work by a rather forgotten writer of the German Enlightenment. We find no copies in North America.

PROVENANCE: Old black ink stamp of the Oettingen-Wallerstein family.

CONDITION: Twentieth-century decorative boards, reinforced with parchment at the spine ends. Contemporary plain paper wrappers bound in. Engraved title vignette, perhaps Maria, Włostowic’s wife. ¶ Lower margins of p. 62-63 stained; mild foxing throughout; title page moderately soiled. Extremities rubbed.

REFERENCES: VD18 10257284

Item #378