Wien; Die Perle des Reiches (3-D) (Vienna; The Pearl of the Empire (3-D)

München: Raumbild - Verlag Otto Schönstein, 1941. First edition. Hardcover. g. 4to. 126 pp. Cream cloth with Vienna code of arms stamped in red, black and gold on front cover. Gold lettering on cover, red and black lettering on spine. 100 b/w stereographs and a stereoscope resting in lowered pockets inside front- and rear boards. Index to stereographs in rear. Captivating 3D stereoscope book of early 1940s Vienna. Majority of photographs depict the city's architecture showing the Stephanskirche, Karlskirche, Peterskirche, Schottenkirche, Kapuzinerkirche, alte Universitätskirche, Parliament, Marie-Theresien-Platz, Liechtenstein-Palais, Heldenplatz, Michaelerplatz, (truncated) Josefsplatz, Burggarten, Obere Belvedere, as well as memorials, museums, city hall, street scenery, city views, and others. Picture # 94 shows the entrance of the "Pratergelände der Wiener Messe" decorated with five large swastika banners, reminding the viewer that the work was published at a time when Austria was part of Hitler's Grossdeutschland. With a printed excerpt of Hitler's speech referring to Vienna as "a pearl," hence the title of the book. Hitler gave the speech on April 9, 1938, from the oriel of Vienna's city hall when he announed Austria's annexation into the Reich. Photographs by August Makart, Ellen Rörig, Fritz Wisberger, and Hans Schreiner. Text section interleaved with two full-page b/w photographic reproductions and eight color reproductions after art work by C. Postl, Rudolf v. Alt, Andreas Geiger, Moritz v. Schwind, Passini, and Igo Pötsch. Color plates mounted on gray card stock. Text in German, gothic script. Shelf wear. Some staining to front and back cover. Overall good condition. (Inventory #: 10841)