THE FIRST EDITION OF HEIDI
Heidi's Lehr- Und Wanderjahre With Heidi Kan Brauchen Was Es Gelernt Hat
Perthes, Gotha, 1880.
Two volumes, both first editions. First volume bound in original publisher's mauve cloth lettered in gilt with border design in black to the upper cover. Second volume in original publisher's pictorial paper covered boards. First volume a little worn with short splits to the cloth at the rear joint, hinges repaired. Second volume rebacked with original paper spine laid down. Internally clean with occasional spotting. A sound set of an extremely fragile set of books.
Johanna Spyri began writing as a hobby, having her first story published pseudonymously in 1871. Throughout the 1870's she published several stories for adults and children based around her own reminiscences of growing up in Hirzel in rural Switzerland. Success came in 1880 with "Heidi's Lehr- und Wanderjahre", the story of an orphan girl growing up in the Alps. The book was an instant success and Spyri followed it up with a sequel in 1881. Translations soon followed for England and America, and in its first decade it was issued in no less than thirteen different editions, assuring Spyri's financial future following the death of her husband in 1884. Its popularity has continued into the twentieth century and can now be considered one of the cornerstones of children's literature.
Due to their fragility, first editions are now rare. Auction records show only one other set (Manney sale, 1991) in the original bindings being sold in the last 30 years, both volumes of which were rebacked.
Stock ID: 25557
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