LESSING, GOTTHOLD EPHRAIM.

Lustspiele. 2 Theile. Der junge Gelehrte. Die Juden. Der Misogyn. Der Freygeist. Der Schatz. Minna von Barnhelm, oder das Soldatenglück.

Bln., Voss, 1767. Two nice, cont., uniform full calf w. five raised bands on backs, coloured title- and tome-labels and richly gilt backs. Traces of use, especially to the bands. Some gilding and part of title-label on vol. one worn off. Internally a bit of soiling, but a good copy on good paper. Old owner's name on t-p. (M. Harboe). Woodcut title-pages and vignettes.

First edition of Lessing's first collection of "Lustspiele", containing the first printing of "Minna von Barnhelm".
Lessing (1729-1781) is the most important literary writer of the Age of German Enlightenment; with him this period is fulfilled as well as overcome.
"Minna von Barnhelm" is one of Lessing's most important and successfull works and is considered one of the absolute best of his plays. "Es war die erste deutsche Dramatische Dichtung, welche nicht gemacht, sondern erlebt war." (Hettner, Geschichte der deutschen Literatur im 18. Jahrh., II: 310). Lessing himself wrote in a letter that should "Minna of Barnhelm" not turn out to be the very best of his plays, he would be very disappointed, and never have anything to do with the theatre again. " "Minna von Barnhelm" ist unbedingt die vollendeste dichterische Leistung Lessings." (Hettner, II: 310). Goethe also considered this work a masterpiece; he found it the most sincere thing to have come out of the Seven Years War and a work of immense importance and impact. With this work we find the genres of drama and comedy fulfilled.
"Nach ein paar Wanderjahren kehrte er nach Berlin zurück, wo 1766 un 1767 zwei seiner Meisterwerke erschienen: der "Laokoon" und das Lustspiel "Minna von Barnhelm". (Bücher die die Welt verändern, # 213). See PMM 213.
Has belonged to Th.E. Petersen and M. Harboe.

Order-nr.: 28757