The Sorrows of Werther – Goethe – 1784 | Early English Translation, Beautiful Binding

Johann von Goethe’s autobiographical novel Sorrows of Young Werther was an important novel during the Strum und Drang period in German literature; it also impacted the Romantic Movement in literature outside Germany.

This 1784 English edition was translated by Richard Graves and is notable for being beautifully bound in gilt leather with marbled boards.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Sorrows of Werter: A German Story
• Author(s): Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
• Contributor(s): Richard Graves (Translator)
• Publisher: London, Printed for Dodsley
• Edition: New Edition. 1784.
• Format: (16mo), single volume
• Binding: Decorative gilt leather, marbled boards
• Size:  6.5 in x 4 in (16.5 cm x 10.2 cm)
• Collation: 168 p; 168 p – two volumes in one tome
• Contents Include:
  • Full English translation of Goethe

Condition:

Near Fine. Binding is tight and secure with sound hinges. Leather spine retains original gilt, clean and legible. Boards show mild edge rubbing consistent with age. Pages generally clean with moderate staining confined to front and rear endpapers. Text block solid and complete.

Why Collect This?

• English translation of a foundational Romantic novel
• Beautiful gilt leather binding with marbled boards – an impressive display

Item Number: # 29559