Die Nibelungen-Sage nach den Fresko-Gemalden von Julius Schnorr von Karolsfeld in der koniglichen Residenz zu Munchen; Photographirt im Auftrage Seiner Majestat Konig Ludwig II. von Bayern
Munich: Eigenthum und Verlag von Jos. Albert, n.d. [1866?]. Schnorr von Karolsfeld, Jos. Albert. First edition. Portfolio. 16p + 20 loose plates (mounted photographs). Scattered foxing and spotting, but the photos are overall clean, very crisp, and richly printed. Cover wear (front cover is detached). Ex-library (long ago), with title page blind-stamp, bookplate, and a few other marks, none on the photos. Good. Item #30247
This portfolio of photographs documents the fresco cycle showing the Song of the Nibelungen, painted by the Nazarene artist Julius Schnorr von Karolsfeld (1794-1841) for the Residenz of the Bavarian Royal Palace in Munich. According to the Royal Palace's web site, these wall and ceiling frescoes, which survive, were "the first monumental representations" of the saga. Albert was royal photographer to the court and family of Ludwig II of Bavaria, and later the inventor of the albertype (a collotype process).
Twenty sepia photographs mounted on yellow backgrounds which are printed on heavy cream stock. Albert's name and the royal crest are embossed beneath each image. Page size is ca. 10 1/2 x 13 1/2 inches; backgrounds are ca. 8 1/4 x 10 inches; photographs vary in size from ca. 3 x 5 inches to ca. 6 1/2 x 7 inches. Housed in boards covered with red cloth, blind embossed and gilt stamped. The plates are preceded by 16 pages of printed matter: title page, H. Holland's text on the saga and the illustrated scenes, and the list of plates. Approximate date taken from Van Haften's checklist of early works illustrated with photographs in the NYPL, and from the few WorldCat citations. Shipping/handling will be extra; please keep this in mind when ordering.
Price: $450.00