Offered for sale together are volumes 1 and 2 of the rare Swiss literary classic «Die poetische Nationalliteratur der deutschen Schweiz – Musterstücke aus den Dichtungen der besten schweizerischen Schriftsteller von Haller bis auf die Gegenwart», edited by Robert Weber and published in 1866 by J. Vogel’s publishing house in Glarus. The work is considered an important historical testimony to Swiss book history shortly after the founding of the Swiss federal state in 1848 and provides a well-founded anthology of notable Swiss poets and authors (from Albrecht von Haller through Salis-Seewis up to 1845), each supplemented with biographical and literary-critical introductions. 

The complete work historically comprises four volumes; the first two volumes are offered here as a set (volumes 3 and 4 are not included). Printed in old Fraktur type on sturdy paper, bound in contemporary half-leather bindings with leather spines and corners. The condition is good and authentic for an age of around 160 years: bindings and edges are rubbed or bumped, the book block is stable, the paper has browned with age and bears typical foxing, and the front endpaper contains historical handwritten ownership entries (see the original photos for details). A stylish collector’s item for lovers of Helvetic and Swiss cultural history or as a decorative antique book pair.