679 - Lessing, Gotthold Ephraim. *Hamburgische Dramaturgie*. Two volumes. With two engraved title vignettes by J. W. Meil. Hamburg, published on behalf of J. H. Cramer in Bremen, 1767–69. Title page, 4 leaves “Announcement,” 415 pp.; title page, 410 pp. 18 x 11.5 cm. Contemporary half-leather bindings with 2 spine labels (slightly rubbed; upper head of Vol. 2 with a minimal tear).

Lessing, Gotthold Ephraim. *Hamburgische Dramaturgie*. Two volumes. With two engraved title vignettes by J. W. Meil. Hamburg, published on behalf of J. H. Cramer in Bremen, 1767–69. Title page, 4 leaves “Announcement,” 415 pp.; title page, 410 pp. 18 x 11.5 cm. Contemporary half-leather bindings with 2 spine labels (slightly rubbed; upper head of Vol. 2 with a minimal tear). First edition; the “Announcement” is dated April 22, 1767. — Goedeke IV/1, 404, 103 — Muncker 408 and 416 — Dorn, Meil 232/3. - “The most famous German-language collection of reviews and dramaturgical reflections covers the period from May 1 to October 27, 1767 (Volume 1) and from November 3, 1767, to April 19, 1768 (Volume Two). ... The work was published between April 22, 1767, and March 26, 1769, in installments printed sheet by sheet. The temporal discrepancy can be explained by the fact that the ‘Hamburg National Theater,’ ... where Lessing worked as a dramaturg, opened on April 22, 1767, with the tragedy *Olint and Sophronia* by J. F. V. Cronegk, for which occasion Lessing wrote the announcement. ... The theater filed for bankruptcy on March 3, 1769 ... Lessing lost his fortune and was forced to auction off his library to cover his debts.” (HAB Exhibition Catalog 38, p. 125). - Front endpapers slightly stained; old dry stamp and signature on the title page; otherwise a good copy. *