1923 Rainer Maria Rilke Neue Gedichte Insel-Verlag German Poetry HC

Rainer Maria Rilke

Published by Insel-Verlag, Leipzig, 1923

About this Item

An attractive early Insel-Verlag edition of one of Rainer Maria Rilke's most celebrated collections. Neue Gedichte ('New Poems') contains many of the masterpieces that established Rilke as one of the foremost lyric poets of the twentieth century, including the celebrated opening poem 'Früher Apollo.' Originally published in 1907 and expanded in subsequent editions, the collection reflects Rilke's mature 'thing poems' (Dinggedichte), in which ordinary objects, classical sculpture, architecture, and nature become profound meditations on beauty, mortality, spirituality, and human experience. These elegant Insel editions remain highly collectible for their refined typography, quality paper, and distinctive publisher bindings.

This example is an early 1923 Insel-Verlag printing, designated '18. bis 22. Tausend' on the title verso. The volume is in Near Fine condition. The decorative paper-covered boards remain remarkably clean with only light rubbing at the extremities and minimal corner wear. The black cloth spine is exceptionally fresh with bright gilt lettering. The binding is tight and square, and the interior is exceptionally clean, with crisp pages free of foxing, or significant toning. Small pencil notation on bottom inside front board (likely a book sellers note.) The book appears carefully preserved throughout, making it an excellent collectible copy of one of the twentieth century's landmark poetry collections.

Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926) is widely regarded as one of the greatest German-language poets of the twentieth century. Born in Prague, he spent much of his life traveling throughout Europe, drawing inspiration from artists, philosophers, and patrons including sculptor Auguste Rodin, whose influence helped shape Rilke's celebrated Dinggedichte ('thing poems'). His masterpieces - including Neue Gedichte, The Book of Hours, Duino Elegies, and Sonnets to Orpheus - explore beauty, solitude, spirituality, mortality, and artistic creation with extraordinary lyrical precision. Today, Rilke remains one of the most translated and widely admired poets in world literature.

Seller Inventory # NF.RIL.1923.1

Bibliographic Details

• Title: 1923 Rainer Maria Rilke Neue Gedichte Insel-Verlag German Poetry HC
• Publisher: Insel-Verlag, Leipzig
• Publication Date: 1923
• Language: German
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Near Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket
• Seller catalogs:
  • Non-Fiction
  • Poetry