Carl Otto Czeschka - "Die Nibelungen" (1909) [Spirit of the Ages]

To the left, we show a rare example of the 1st Edition

of Die Nibelungen carrying the magnificent illustrations

of Carl Otto Czeschka. That Edition was published by

Gerlach Wiedling (Vienna) in 1909.

This copy retains the original black-stamped gold

cloth cover.

On the right, we show the Title Page of

Czeschka's version of Die Nibelungen.

Die Nibelungen (1909), as illustrated by Carl Otto Czeschka, was a variant of the Germanic myth interpreted by Franz Keim.

The myth of the Nibelung is associated with the ancient Burgundian royal family that had settled in Worms. Historically, the

earliest example of the reference to that family appears to be in the 10th Century work of the Ekkehard, Waltharius - a work

that itself is believed to be based on an oral tradition extending to perhaps the 5th Century. Later, the tradition was fully

expressed in the epic Medieval German work, Nibelungenlied that is dated between 1180 and 1210.

Czeschka's contribution to the 1909 Edition was comprehensive, including the eight double-page colour illustrations, the

monotone vignettes and the text designs. Ries makes the following comment on Czeschka's work:

As far as the eminence of Czeschka's Nibelungen is concerned, it is quite simply one of

the highest achievements of book illustration ever. The ornamental style typical of

Viennese Jugendstil is turned here to functional illustration of the story to an unparalleled

When presented on Greeting Cards, these images are prepared as tipped-on plates - in hommage to the hand-crafted

approach typical of prestige illustrated publications produced in the early decades of the 20th Century. Each card is

hand-finished and and the images are presented on Ivory card stock (in the case of the colour images) and White card

stock (in the case of the monotone images) with an accompanying envelope. The rear of each card carries information

about Carl Otto Czeschka, this wonderful suite and the profiled illustration - we have left the interior of the cards blank

Should you wish to order a Reproduction Print of one or more of these images, we have provided some options below.

Each of these large format prints is also accompanied by information about Carl Otto Czeschka, this suite and the profiled

To purchase, simply click on the appropriate "Add to Cart" button and you will be taken through to our Shopping Cart secured

through PayPal. Multiple purchases will be consolidated by that feature and shipping and handling costs to any destination

in the world are accommodated by our flat-rate fee of US$20 for every US$200 worth of purchases.

Of course, should you wish to discuss some customised options, we welcome your contact on any matter through


Kriemhild has a dream wherein a Falcon is killed by two Eagles		Siegfried arrives in Worms in hope of wooing Kriemhild and is welcomed by the Burgundians
A pair of reproductions on 12x18" sheets Code: COC DN C1\|2 (12x18) Price: US$120.00		A pair of reproductions on 12x18" sheets Code: COC DN C3\|4 (12x18) Price: US$120.00

Siegfried joins forces with Gunther to defeat the invading Saxons		Guther, Siegfried and a group of Burgundians sail for Iceland to secure Gunther's marriage to Brünhild
A pair of reproductions on 12x18" sheets Code: COC DN C5\|6 (12x18) Price: US$120.00		A pair of reproductions on 12x18" sheets Code: COC DN C7\|8 (12x18) Price: US$120.00

Conflict escalates between Kriemhild and Brünhild		Siegfried's body is taken for burial following his murder at the hands of Hagen
A pair of reproductions on 12x18" sheets Code: COC DN C9\|10 (12x18) Price: US$120.00		A pair of reproductions on 12x18" sheets Code: COC DN C11\|12 (12x18) Price: US$120.00

The wary Burgundians remain vigilant after their arrival at the Castle of King Etzel		The slaughter of the Burgundians in battle with King Etzel's warriors
A pair of reproductions on 12x18" sheets Code: COC DN C13\|14 (12x18) Price: US$120.00		A pair of reproductions on 12x18" sheets Code: COC DN C15\|16 (12x18) Price: US$120.00