Peter Schlemihls wundersame Geschichte

von Chamisso, Adelbert; Alfred Hagel (Illustrated by). Peter Schlemihls wundersame Geschichte. Wien; Leipzig; München: Rikola Verlag, 1922. Reprint. Quarto. 64, [4]pp. Original half cloth over illustrated paper covered boards. Decorative endpapers. Exquisite edition of this 1814 novella written by exiled French aristocrat Adelbert von Chamisso. In the story, Schlemihl sells his shadow to the Devil for a bottomless wallet, only to find that a man without a shadow is shunned by human society. The woman he loves rejects him, and he spends the rest of his life wandering the world in scientific exploration. This work is exquisitely illustrated with 6 full-page color plates by Alfred Hagel. Moderate shelf wear. Slight rubbing along edges. Book block starting to split along gutter. Text in German, gothic script. Binding and interior in overall good+ condition. g. Hardcover. (34188) $45