Bildliche Darstellungen zu Göthe’s Faust von C. Harnisch.

(3) pages letterpress text, 6 lithographed plates. Publisher's wrappers with printed blue title shield to front cover. Uncut. Folio (480 x 320 mm). Slightly soiled.


Engel. Bibl. Faustiana 1822 ; cf. Sammlung Kippenberg 1903 ("Verlag von Otto Humburg & Co." no date (obviously a remainder copy without the original wrappers; the Otto Humburg publishing house started its business around 1865) ; Rümann. 19. Jahrhundert 635. First edition. One of the rarest and at the same time most unusual suites to illustrate Goethe's Faust, and also one of the largest in size. Only a few copies with the original wrappers can be found; this is important because the suite was issued without a title page, so the title and imprint can only be found here. "(Er) wurde bekannt durch seine Illustrationen in Arabeskenform zu Goethes Faust und ebensolche zu Ossians Gedichten (Berlin, 1835)" (Thieme/Becker XVI, p 47). - "Carl Harnisch, born in Altenburg, Germany on January 1, 1800, worked as an artist and created designs for lithographs in Philadelphia during the mid-19th century. Originally apprenticed in carpentry and engraving in Germany, Harnisch immigrated to Philadelphia with Edward Schnabel in 1849. He gave drawing lessons, worked in the lithographic trade, and painted ceiling and wall murals, including that of the home of W. C. Swann (1512 Walnut Street). Known lithographs include "Reminiscences of a Fancy Dress Ball", in Philadelphia, February 1850 printed ca. 1850 by P. S. Duval. He also exhibited his work at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and was a founder of the German Artists' Association." (Library Company of Philadelphia. Philadelphia on Stone. Biographical Dictionary of Lithographers). Lightly browned, an uncut copy in publisher's wrappers.