389 - Dehmel, Richard (ed.). *Der Buntscheck*. A collection of delightful art for the ears and eyes of German children. Second edition. With numerous color illustrations, some with gold accents, by E. R. Weiss, E. Kreidolf, K. Hofer, and K. F. von Freyhold. Cologne: H. & F. Schaffstein, 1904. 55 pp. 31 x 24.5 cm. Half-linen binding using the original color-illustrated covers (edges slightly rubbed).

Dehmel, Richard (ed.). *Der Buntscheck*. A collection of delightful art for the ears and eyes of German children. Second edition. With numerous color illustrations, some with gold accents, by E. R. Weiss, E. Kreidolf, K. Hofer, and K. F. von Freyhold. Cologne: H. & F. Schaffstein, 1904. 55 pp. 31 x 24.5 cm. Half-linen binding using the original color-illustrated covers (edges slightly rubbed). First edition, fully signed here by Dehmel on the endpaper and designated as “Luxury Copy No. 50.” Seebaß II, 433 – Schug Bilderwelt, 514 – Stark, Schaffstein 186, p. 45 - Stuck-Villa II, 237 - Hess-Wachter C 41 - Klotz 1003,1 - Pressler 113 and p. 203. - According to the colophon, the plates were hand-colored “under artistic supervision.” - “In terms of its developmental history, *Buntscheck* is perhaps the most significant book in the new era of children’s book illustration.” (Halbey, in: *Lexikon der Kinderliteratur* I, 295). - “What is most striking about the book is the versatility of the artists involved … There can be no doubt that Hofer was the strongest artistic presence here.” (Doderer/Müller, p. 251). - In addition to the illustrations, the children’s book brings together texts by Oskar Wiener, Paul Scheerbart, Gustav Rühl, Paula and Richard Dehmel, Peter Hille, and many others. - The combination of contributions from “the foremost poets of the German language” and illustrations that were avant-garde for their time—shaped above all by Hofer’s vision—gave rise to “if not the pinnacle of the German children’s book in the 20th century.” (Stark, Schaffstein, p. 45). - Spine and corners professionally restored; staples rusted; block detached before p. 17; otherwise a beautiful copy. *