Beschreibung:

GOETHE, Johann Wolfgang von (1749-1832) -- Moritz RETZSCH (illustrator). Umrisse zu Goethe's Faust . Stuttgart and Tübingen: J. Cotta, 1820. 26 etchings (spotted), yellow paper wrapper (worn, covers and first plate detached). Rümann 1841; Kippenberg 1875-6; Meyer 2315. PRESENTATION INSCRIPTION IN THE HAND OF J.W. VON GOETHE on upper cover, 'Den theuren Gatten Bracebridge zu geneigten Andenken Weimar d. 1 Marz 1826 Goethe' (To the dear Bracebridge couple in fond memory). Provenance : Charles and Selina Bracebridge; and by descent. Goethe presents images of Faust. Goethe had noticed Retzsch's illustrations for Faust (Part I) in Dresden in September 1810 (only two years after the work's publication), and it was on his suggestion that they were published in 1816. The work was reprinted a number of times, and was perhaps the most influential depiction of the drama. The present edition contains 26 plates and a separately-gathered 12-page letterpress text consisting of a preface and a plate list quoting the relevant passages from Faust . Goethe's choice of the edition as a gift to the Bracebridges demonstrates the extent to which Retzsch's was his approved vision of his great dramatic creation. The inscription is to Charles-Holte Bracebridge (1799-1872) of Atherstone Hall in Warwickshire, and his wife Selina, who appear to have travelled widely in Europe in the years following their marriage in 1824. In the course of their visit to Germany Selina, who was particularly interested in literature, became friendly with Ottilie von Goethe (1796-1872), who had married Goethe's son, August, in 1817. Forty letters from Selina to Ottilie, written between 1826 and 1844, are in the Goethe Archive in Weimar. Wealthy, and liberal in their views, the Bracebridges are also known as close friends and supporters of Florence Nightingale who visited Italy and Egypt with them, while in 1854-55 Charles Bracebridge joined her in the Crimea and at Scutari.