UP FOR AUCTION: 

RARE BOOK: 

Das Nibelungen Lied 

or, Lay of the Last Nibelungers

Translated into English Verse after Professor Carl Lachmann's Collated and Corrected Text

by Jonathan Birch,

Published by Alexander Duncker, Berlin, 1848,

1848 Edition, First English Language Edition Thus, (1848 on Title Page and "First and Only Translation" stated on Page with Presentation to The King of Prussia; see pics),

Printed by A. W. Schade,

Leather Book, 266 pages, 

This is an antique, 1848 book.  The Nibelungenlied, translated as The Song of the Nibelungs, is an epic poem written around 1200 in Middle High German.  Its anonymous poet was likely from the region of Passau. (from Wikipedia)

This is the 1st Edition English translation of this epic poem.  Englishman Jonathan Birch (1783-1847) was a childhood friend of Prussian King Frederick William IV.  In 1840, Frederick William IV became King of Prussia.  

In 1846, the King of Prussia offered him a choice of apartments in his palaces.  At the end of 1846, Birch settled in Prussia, and completed his last work, a translation of the 'Nibelungen Lied,' Berlin, 1848.  He was greatly aided by Professor Carl Lachmann (1793 -- 1851; Classical Philology Professor at the University of Königsberg in East Prussia) whose text he mainly followed, and also by the famous brothers Grimm.  While his work was still in the press, he became ill, then died in Prussia in 1847. (from Wikisource)

From my research, I found this 1st English Edition book to be extremely rare.  I could not find any other copies anywhere online.  

This book's 3rd blank page contains the signature: "C. Francis - 1848".  The book's front endpaper states: "Bought at the sale of Prof. Francis' library, Jan. 1887, for $1.  Frank H. Sellers   Cambridge".  

I do not know who the professor was, nor do I know if the 1887 owner was in Cambridge, Massachusetts, or in Cambridge, England.  I purchased this book years ago in an estate sale.

The book is very legible and solid: a fascinating, antique, 1848 book.  The publisher was the "Bookseller to His Majesty The King of Prussia." (stated on Title Page).  The 2nd page after the Title Page has a Dedication to "His Most Gracious Majesty, Frederick William IV., The Wise, The Energetic, The Good King of Prussia" by Jonathan Birch. (see Pics)

See ebay pics above for actual book. 

Good Condition 

[ Cover-edges and corners are somewhat scraped (see pics), text is lightly foxed throughout, hinges are completely tight-but-show-binding a bit (see pics), front endpaper has name of former owner, 3rd blank page has name of earlier former owner; otherwise, book is quite clean, well-bound, tight with strong hinges, solid, complete, and sharply printed ] 

266 pages, approx. 9.25" x 6.25" x 1",  brown/black marbled boards with gilt-decorated leather spine and corners, all edges gilded, 

Leather Book 

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