GRIMM, Jacob (1785-1863) and GRIMM, Wilhelm (1786-1859). Kinder- und Haus-Märchen. Berlin: G. Reimer, 1825.

Important presentation copy of Grimm’s fairy tales for Amalie Hassenpflug, signed by both Brothers Grimm. Amalie Hassenpflug (1800-1871) was the youngest daughter of Johannes Hassenpflug and Marie Dresen, a Kassel family in the inner circle around the Brothers Grimm. The entire Hassenpflug family was a rich source of material for the Brothers, and Amalie herself contributed several fairy tales. Recent scholarship identifies Amalie’s older sister Marie as “Alte Marie” herself, one of the richest sources of Grimm fairy tales. Between the three of them, the Sisters Hassenpflug are thought to have contributed about 40 fairy tales to the Brothers Grimm. See Oliver Loo’s edition of The Original 1812 Grimm Fairy Tales, 2014.

The present volume is the very rare first “Kleine Ausgabe,” i.e. popular edition of Grimm’s fairy tales. Inspired by the success of Cruikshank’s popular English edition, the Grimms released this one. It comprises a selection of 50 of their most popular tales in pocket-size format, omits the critical apparatus of earlier editions, and adds more illustrations. The seven illustrations in this edition are after the work of their younger brother, the accomplished artist Ludwig Emil Grimm (1790-1863), and comprise scenes from Mary’s Child, Hansel & Gretel, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and the Goose Girl.

This copy was inscribed in the hand of Jacob Grimm for Amalie on her birthday: “Malchen Hassenpflug. Wir schenken dir das, bei deinem nunmehrigen Austritt aus den Kinderjahren, zur erinnerung an die schöne zeit. den 30 jan 1826.“ Translated, “We present you with this on your impending departure from childhood as a reminder of happy times,” and signed first by Jacob Grimm and then by Wilhelm Grimm, with red wax seal.

Maurice Sendak acquired this volume from the antiquarian bookdealer Justin Schiller, who has since remarked that in his fifty years of selling children’s books, he has handled only two Brothers Grimm presentation copies. The other one was also inscribed to Amalie Hassenpflug and recently sold at auction in the Justin Schiller sale (Heritage, 16 December 2020, lot 45112). This Heritage copy was the third edition and signed by only Wilhelm Grimm.

Octavo (134 x 104mm). Illustrated with seven engraved plates (scattered few small spots to text leaves). Original pink patterned boards, gilt-lettered spine label, pale blue endpapers (corners showing, light rubbing, spine sunned).