Des Knaben Wunderhorn. Alte deutsche Lieder (and addenda:) Kinderlieder. 4 parts in 3 vols.

With 3 engr. titles, and 1 engr. frontispiece by L. E. Grimm, a.o. (without the printed main title-page to the first vol., as usual missing). 470 (i.e. 480 pp., 260-69 numbered twice); half-title, 448 pp.; half-title, title, 253 pp.; 103 pp. 8vo. Contemporay half calf with spine labels (slightly rubbed). Heidelberg and Frankfurt am Main (vol. I), Mohr and Zimmer, 1806 (recte 1805)-1808. First edition of a great treasure of German literature found together with the often missing addenda "Kinderlieder". This famous anthology of popular songs and poems is one of the main works of the German Romantic Movement. Besides genuine folk songs and rhymes Arnim's (1781-1831) and Brentano's (1778-1842) anthology includes poetry written in the vein of folk songs, and also served a political purpose when Germany was occupied by Napoleon: It was meant to further national cultural identity by celebrating ancient German lore. Later on, numerous composers like Schumann, Brahms, and Mahler were inspired by it. Many of the 700 songs, hymns, ballads, nursery rhymes are still well-known today. Vol. I was compiled in May 1805 and contains an appendix by Arnim "Von Volksliedern" and "Nachschrift an den Leser", This volume is assigned to Goethe who encouraged the two editors to continue their work. Vol. II and III appeared 3 years later, using contributions from readers of the first volume and includes the often missing Part 4 as an addenda: "Kinderlieder" and "Uebersicht des Inhaltes einiger Lieder" (1808). It is reflected in the introductory poem. The engr. title-pages and the frontispiece (opposite to the engr. title of part 4) are by W. Grimm and E. L, Grimm: The first engraved title by Kunze after a design by Wilhelm Grimm depicts a boy on horseback with a horn. The second engraved title is the famous plate drawn by Wilhelm Grimm after a design by Brentano, etched by A. Weise with the Heidelberg castle as a background. The third engraved title by Ludwig Emil Grimm drawn after Israel von Meckenem and Wenzel von Olmütz. The title of part 4 "Kinderlieder" is etched by L. E. Grimm after a drawing by Brentano with motifs from Ph. Otto Runge. - Some foxing, lower inner hinges of vol. 1 somewhat weak, otherwise a nice copy. - Goedeke VI, 73, 12 and 59, 14; Kippenberg 1035; Meyer 781a (only vol. I); Borst 1021; Neufforge 151; Brieger 116; Rümann 554; Wilpert/Gühring 6 and 9; Cat. Wolfenbüttel, Kunst der Illustration (1986), no. 34; Kosch I, 153 and II, 17. yes ;