Schillers Werke, Textrevision von Heinrich Kurz, Leipzig, with 1886 autograph inscription by Mabell, Countess of Airlie

A well-presented part set of Schillers Werke, edited by Heinrich Kurz and published by Bibliographisches Institut, Leipzig. Friedrich Schiller (1759-1805) was one of the central figures of German literature, celebrated for his poetry, dramas, and philosophical writings. These seven volumes (from an eight-volume series) date from 1885 and come with distinguished Scottish aristocratic provenance from Cortachy Castle, including an early 1886 inscription by Mabell, Countess of Airlie. An attractive and representative late nineteenth-century edition of Schillers works.

Schillers Werke, Textrevision von Heinrich Kurz. 

Published by Bibliographisches Instiutut, Leipzig. Undated, but 1885 from foreword, and this ties with the inscription stating that these were given as a wedding gift in January 1886 (7 volumes from 8 - volume 3 is missing).

A very good set of hardback volumes with brown morocco leather spines and corners, with raised bands and gilt tooled decoration. With German machine-marbled boards (pebble pattern), and similar marbling to text block edges. Bindings are sound. Lightly bumped corners, and occasional flaws to covers, including a stain to Volume 1 front cover. With small library label to inside rear covers with 'M.A.' monogram with crown. With patterned endpapers.

Text is very good, with occasional minor flaw. A couple of volumes with age toning to pages, but an attractive and very usable set.

Provenance: From the library of Cortachy Castle, Angus, ancestral seat of the Earls of Airlie. With a full-page manuscript inscription dated to January 1886 by Mabell, Countess of Airlie (1866-1956), written shortly after her marriage to David Ogilvy, 11th Earl of Airlie. In the note, Mabell records that the volumes were originally given to her by her governess, Louise Teuscher, who entered the household in 1876 and left after the marriage of Mabell’s sister Alice in 1887. The Countess states that the books were presented to her again as a wedding gift on her own marriage, and describes their original housing in a carved book-slide “in the Sevres fashion”. A fine, early, and characteristically warm inscription by the young Countess, offering direct insight into the Airlie family circle at Cortachy in the 1870s and 1880s.

Text in German.

Each volume approximately 187mm high x 130mm x 26-35mm high.

Weight: Approximately 4kg (the set - unpacked).