The Marvellous History of the Shadowless Man [and] The Cold Heart

Chamisso, A. von [and] Hauff, Wilhelm

Published by Holden & Hardingham, 1913

Chamisso, A. von. The Marvellous History of the Shadowless Man [together with] Hauff, Wilhelm. The Cold Heart. With an Introduction by Dr. A. S. Rappaport. London: Holden & Hardingham, n.d. [1913]. Later editions of both of these short supernatural novels, translated from the German. Quarto, pp. [i-ii] iii [iv] v-xiv [1-2] 3 [4] 5-93 [94: blank] [1-2] [i-ii] 3-73 [74]. Original dark green pictorial cloth, front and spine panels stamped in gold, top edge gilt, other edges untrimmed. Illustrated by Forester Robson on thirty inserted color plates: twenty, executed in full color and reproduced by half-tones, are mounted on brown paper stock and have captioned tissue guards; the rest, executed in pastel, are duotone line drawings. A bright fine copy of this, one of the most lavishly produced works of fantasy during this period. The gold stamping on the front cover is elaborate and in pristine condition. (Extra postage for this large, heavy book.) #3247. $75. Camisso's novella, better known as Peter Schlemihl, is "one of the classics of German Romantic literature, first published in 1813 . Very amusing period piece." - Bleiler, The Guide to Supernatural Fiction 371. Its first English translation appeared in 1823. It "enjoyed considerable international popularity in the nineteenth century and continues to appeal to modern readers through its mingling of supernatural adventure with spiritual anguish. The story offers, moreover, a variation on the Faustian theme of a pact with the Devil." -- Magill (ed.), Survey of Modern Fantasy Literature III, pp. 1234-37. Reginald 02831. Hauff's The Cold Heart, another fruit of German Romanticism, is structured as a fairy tale and was part of three cycles of such tales the author completed before his death in 1827 at the age of 25. They "combine the influences of the Brothers Grimm and the Arabian Nights. There is a strong comic element, which combines satire and sheer grotesquerie. The best known of the tales is 'The Cold Heart,' in which a charcoal burner disposes of three wishes with customary foolhardiness, and goes on, with tragic consequences, to sell his heart for wealth ." -- Brian Stableford in Barron (ed.), Fantasy Literature 2-76. Seller Inventory # 3247

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Marvellous History of the Shadowless Man...
Publisher: Holden & Hardingham
Publication Date: 1913
Binding: Hardcover
Illustrator: Forester Robson
Condition: Fine
Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket