MAX AND MORITZ: Collection of 75 volumes

BUSCH (Wilhelm): Important study collection for Max und Moritz, the artist's most famous picture-book, chiefly with hand-colored illustrations. Altogether, 75 volumes including the 1st English language version Max and Maurice (Boston 1871), being also the first American printing + 55 editions in German (1880s to 1960, 24th thru 138th printing including a few duplicates), and with 14 volume set of Busch's writings in its original cardboard bookshelf, three audio versions (1960-1975), and 168pp illustrated exhibition catalogue (Hannover: Wilhelm Busch Foundation Museum (1990) celebrating its first 125 years. Laid inside is postmarked four Busch stamps on souvenir 1979 "International Year of the Child … Help Children in Need" pictorial postcard and 3ff related tear sheets (1978). With vintage 19th century three-dimensional hand-painted wooden statue of the two protagonists.

Some wear but overall very good copies, interesting to view the publishing history for one of Germany's most famous children's tale that eventually evolved into the KATZENJAMMER KIDS, an American cartoon strip by Rudolph Dirks (begun 1897 through 2006 syndication, making it the oldest continuous comic from its earliest origins).

Synopsis: Max and Moritz terrorized their village with their mean-spirited tricks. They caused Widow Bolte's chickens to strangle themselves to death and then stole the birds from the Widow's stove. They filled the schoolmaster's pipe with gunpowder, put bugs in their uncle's bed, and sawed away boards from a bridge so the tailor fell into the river and nearly drowned. Their final trick-- slitting open Farmer Mecke's grain sacks-- proved to be their last. The farmer caught the boys and puts them in sacks instead, then took them to the mill where they were ground into duck food. Interesting sadistic humor that seems somewhat similar to Heinrich Hoffmann's moral tales of Struwwelpeter (1845).