J. G. Cotta'sche Buchhandlung, Stuttgart, 1828.
Hardcover. Marbled paper covered boards, red spine title label, octavo (7.5 inches tall), 262 pages,

Note. This volume includes only the notes and commentary that Goethe wrote to promote better understanding of his poems. The poems were published in a separate volume.

West–östlicher Divan is a collection of lyrical poems, by the German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. It was inspired by the Persian poet Hafez.
For a better understanding, of the poems, Goethe added "Notes and Queries", in which he comments on historical figures, events, terms and places.

West–Eastern Diwan was written between 1814 and 1819, the year when it was first published. It was inspired by Goethe's correspondence with Marianne von Willemer and the translation of Hafez' poems by the orientalist Joseph von Hammer. An expanded version was printed in 1827. It is part of Goethe's late work and the last great cycle of poetry he wrote.

The work can be seen as a symbol for a stimulating exchange and mixture between Orient and Occident. The phrase "west–eastern" refers not only to an exchange between Germany and the Middle East, but also between Latin and Persian cultures, as well as the Christian and Muslim cultures. The twelve books consist of poetry of all different kinds: parables, historical allusions, pieces of invective, politically or religiously inclined poetry mirroring the attempt to bring together Orient and Occident.

CONDITION: Very Good. (Covers have moderate wear at corners and spine ends, paper eroded at edges of spine. Contents are complete and intact with some darkening at margins of preliminary pages and infrequent light foxing spots of text pages. Tight binding.)