Gesammelte Schriften. Herausgegeben von L. Tieck.

KLEIST (Heinrich von): Gesammelte Schriften. Herausgegeben von L. Tieck. Berlin: Reimer, 1826. Three volumes, complete. 8vo, lxvi 330, [i] 418, [iv] 340pp; early mottled boards with green gilt label on spines (small section of volume 2 spine chipped, edges rubbed). Overall, a handsome set in what may be described as being in its original binding. Bookplate of MAURICE SENDAK in each volume, part of his bequest to the Rosenbach Museum & Library (S0936).

First complete edition of von Kleist's writings published fifteen years after his death. "Significantly, the meritorious Kleist editions of 1821 and 1826, which testify to Tieck's unselfishness and his sure recognition of poetic geniuses, contain no sweeping salvation of Kleist's honour; the preface speaks of the 'deep disharmony' and the 'glaring contradictions' of his character; Despite his unconcealed admiration for the 'Prince of Homburg' and for the 'Narratives', Tieck cannot recognize him as a consummate poet. In no way, however, does he want to portray Kleist as an opponent of Goethe or Schiller" ( Paulin, Metzler, p. 108). . The publication of the estate has dragged on for five years.Compared to the "Beyond Writings", this edition was increased by five dramas and the "Narratives" and made Kleist known above all abroad. Tieck's extensive preface not only contains the life of Kleist (1777-1811), but also fundamental theoretical discussions on German drama of the time.

Penthesilea is an 1808 tragedy by the German playwright Heinrich von Kleist about the mythological Amazon Queen Penthesilea, described as an exploration of sexual frenzy. Goethe rejected it as "unplayable". It was first performed on 25 April 1876 at the Königliches Schauspielhaus in Berlin, 65 years after the author's death.

ACCOMPANIED by the first illustrated edition of Penthesilea (New York: Harper Collins, 1998) newly translated by Joel Agee and illustrated by Maurice Sendak. This is the artist's own copy of the original text, each volume with his pictorial bookplate affixed.