1846 Reynard the Fox (Reineke Fuchs) / Beautiful Antique 1st Ed, 1st Printing / 36 Engravings by von Kaulbach / Gorgeous Edition / IN GERMAN

Here is a highly-esteemed, scarce large Folio edition of Reineke Fuchs - Reynard the Fox. Published in 1846 by J.B. Gotta, Suttgart and Tobingen. It is a first edition, first printing. Lavishly bound and with thirty-six iconic engravings by Von Kaulbach making it a landmark in 19th century book art. Re-backed. Contains the scarce, later supressed plate, making it an especially collectable copy - see further down. IN GERMAN.

Originally a medieval beast epic, Reynard the Fox is a satirical tale featuring anthropomorphic animals, with Reynard as a cunning trickster who manipulates the royal court.

The 1846 edition is Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s adaptation, which elevates the tale into a poetic and philosophical critique of society, politics, and morality.

Inside the pages are clean, bright and tightly bound. With new endpapers from having been re-backed. Has spotting to the first few pages, and then scattered occasionally through the text. Has creasing to an early page and the odd small nicked edge. In addition to the thirty-six absolutely superb engravings, (all present as called for), there are also vignette chapter headers and footers. Contains the engraving opposite page 42 which will later be supressed as being morally provocative for the standards of the time. The engraving in question appears after page 42 and depicts farm girls in their nightgowns chasing an intrusive cat. The cat disappearing up inside a man's clothing. It was considered too risqué for the standards of the time, leading to its removal or omission in later copies. Copies that retain this plate are especially rare and sought-after by collectors. All edges are gilt.

In the original publisher's dark blue leather with lavish gilt decoration to the front, back and spine. Has rubbing and chipping around the outside edges and in particular to the corners to reveal boards, beneath. Has some bumps and scuffs to the leather on the boards. More so to the back than the front (see photos). With one smaller, and one larger areas of loss to the leather on the front and back respectively that look to have been repaired.

The spine is very tight and sound, with the original decorative leather re-laid on top. There is a split across the leather two-thirds of the way down, but this is not so evident after the re-laying. With some chips to the leather on the spine to remove the blue surface. An absolutely stunning book.

Your antique copy of Reynard the Fox will be wrapped with care in tissue and ribbon* and sent well packaged. I am always happy to include a gift message in the parcel if desired.

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PLEASE NOTE DIMENSIONS of this large book. H 35 cm x W 29 cm, 257 pages, 2.8 kg. I dispatch worldwide daily from the UK. (There are just a very few countries which I am unable to ship to).

* If you would prefer for your book not to be decoratively wrapped but sent simply in the protective packaging please add a note to the order.

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