Die Inschrift von Heilsberg. Faksimile der Inschrift.

Engr. title with facsmile of the inscription (and printing place Weimar with date 1818). 7,1 pp. Folio. Modern black morocco, spine gilt. Jena, Frommann and Wesselhöft, (1818). First edition, privately printed on behalf of Duke Carl August in a small edition of probably 200 copies. In 1816 Goethe's brother-in-law Vulpius made him aware of an inscription stone that was immured on the outer wall of the chapel of Heilsberg today part of the city of Rudolstadt. Of this unquestionably medieval text only a few letters were clearly readable. Goethe's interest in deciphering was awakened so much that he involved among others Metternich, who had the idea to entrust the decryption to Joseph Hammer- Purgstall (1774-1856) who immediately wanted to publish the inscription. For this present publication Goethe composed an accompanying text, in which he makes aware of the importance of the discovery, the accomplishment of Hammer and on the circumstances of the publishing. Today one can see the stone at the Herzogin Anna Amalia Library in Weimar. - Uncut, fine copy. - Goedeke VII,762,46 & IV/3,488,81; Hagen 712; Kippenberg 456; Ruppert, Goethes Bibliothek 1843; W/G 111; Hirzel A S (p. 137). HISTORY (KULTURGESCHICHTE) ; LITERATUR ; LITERATURE ;