Demian: Die Geschichte Einer Jugend (Demian: The Story Of A Youth - Second Printing 9--16 Auflage) Emil Sinclair (Herman Hesse) First Editions,Foreign Language,Literature

A rare early second printing of the true first edition, published in 1920. In the original German language. Published by Herman Hesse using the pseudonymous identity of Emil Sinclair. The book was originally published in the previous year 1919. ***Near fine in grey printed paper covers boards with brown titles and decoration to front board. The fragile boards are in superb condition, without any detrimental marks or any significant rubbing. No damage at all to the very fragile spine. Corners are sharp and not bumped. There is a very slight lean to the binding. Top edge of text-block clean. The free endpapers and pastedowns are clean. Interior pages are clean, although the cheap paper stock used after the First World War has tanned as usual. The paper is really clean and uncreased, which is very unusual for this fragile book. No dustwrapper. ***188mm x 120mm. 256 pages. ***'Hermann Karl Hesse (2 Jul 1877 - 9 Aug 1962) was a German-born Swiss poet, novelist, and painter. His best-known works include Demian, Steppenwolf, Siddhartha, and The Glass Bead Game, each of which explores an individual's search for authenticity, self-knowledge and spirituality. In 1946, he received the Nobel Prize in Literature. ***Demian: The Story of Emil Sinclair's Youth is a Bildungsroman by Hermann Hesse, first published in 1919; a prologue was added in 1960. Demian was first published under the pseudonym "Emil Sinclair", the name of the narrator of the story, but Hesse was later revealed to be the author. ***Plot summary: Emil Sinclair is a young boy raised in a middle class home, amidst what is described as a Scheinwelt, a play on words meaning "world of light" as well as "world of illusion". Sinclair's entire existence can be summarized as a struggle between two worlds: the show world of illusion (related to the Hindu concept of maya) and the real world, the world of spiritual truth. Accompanied and prompted by his mysterious classmate and friend 'Max Demian', he detaches from and revolts against the superficial ideals of the world of appearances and eventually awakens into a realization of self.' [Wiki] ***Early German published first editions by Herman Hesse are rarely offered for sale as Hesse's works were banned by the Nazis, and many copies were destroyed during the book burnings of the 1930s. ***A second printing of the true first edition of this work by Herman Hesse. Unusually for this fragile book, which was published shortly after the First World War, there is no damage whatsoever to the very fragile spine. ***Of interest to collectors of first editions by Herman Hesse in the original German language. Very scarce. ****For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc.