The Poems of Goethe by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Crowell's Red Line Poets Edition), 1882 📜✨🇩🇪

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a rare first edition of The Poems of Goethe, a beautiful and elegantly bound volume from the late Victorian era.

Published in 1882 as part of the Crowell's Red Line Poets series, this book is a charming artifact that showcases the artistry of late 19th-century book design.

Its status as a well-preserved, illustrated edition of a literary giant makes it a premier acquisition for any serious collector of classic poetry or decorative books.

2. About the Artwork/Book/Object 📖✍️✨

The Poems of Goethe is a comprehensive anthology of works from the master of German literature.

The book is renowned for its decorative binding, a hallmark of bookmaking from this period. The intricate design, with its ornate flowers and gilded pages, makes this volume a work of art in its own right.

The book’s content, which includes some of Goethe's most famous poems, provides a valuable glimpse into the romantic and intellectual spirit of the time. This volume is a testament to the enduring appeal of Goethe’s work.

3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️✨

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) was a German writer, poet, playwright, scientist, and philosopher who is considered the greatest German literary figure of the modern era. He was a leading figure of the Weimar Classicism movement and his works, which included Faust and The Sorrows of Young Werther, were a major influence on the Romantic movement.

Goethe’s poetry, with its lyrical flow and its exploration of nature and human emotion, was beloved by readers across the world.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1882, this book is a "time capsule" of the late Victorian era, a period of immense social and intellectual change. The book’s decorative binding reflects a cultural moment where books were seen as both sources of knowledge and objects of beauty. 

The book’s content, with its focus on complex human emotions and a return to nature, was a reflection of the intellectual currents of the time. It serves as a valuable document of an era that was grappling with the rise of modern science, psychology, and a longing for a more romantic past.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This 1882 edition of The Poems of Goethe is a core acquisition for a collector building a focused library on classic poetry, German literature, or decorative books.

This book would be a centerpiece in a private collection focused on the history of German literature and the development of modern spirituality.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This 1882 edition is a genuinely scarce asset.

The book is 143 years old, having survived over a century of history. While not an exceptionally rare book, a well-preserved first printing in this condition is more scarce than a mass-produced later edition. 

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This volume is in good vintage condition.

• Hardcover: The hardcover is in a solid state, with a tight binding and clean pages. The covers show some rubbing and scuffing, which is expected for a book of this age.

• Gilded Pages: The gilded pages are bright, with some minor fading.

• Overall Condition: The overall condition is an honest and transparent portrayal of a well-cared-for volume that was likely a cherished part of a home library.

8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• Goethe was a masterful poet and scientist who famously wrote one of the first scientific theories on the color spectrum.

• The "Crowell's Red Line Poets" series was a popular collection of high-quality, decorative books that were sold in sets and were a staple of American home libraries in the late 19th century.

• The book’s elegant cover design, with its ornate details, is a classic example of the intricate, symbolic art that was popular on book covers of the era.

9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: The Poems of Goethe

• Author/Maker: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

• Year: 1882

• Publisher/Foundry: Thomas Y. Crowell & Co.

• Place of Origin: New York, USA

• Format/Binding: Hardcover, Decorative Binding

• Edition: Crowell's Red Line Poets Edition

• Rarity: Rare