DAS KLEINE DAVIDISCHE PSALTERSPIEL DER KINDER ZIONS [with:] DIE KLEINE HARFE

An Early Samuel Saur Imprint

DAS KLEINE DAVIDISCHE PSALTERSPIEL DER KINDER ZIONS [with:] DIE KLEINE HARFE

Printed in Chestnut Hill and Baltimore by Samuel Saur

1797, 1792

18th-century collection of two important hymnals printed by Samuel Saur in German: the rare 1792 first edition of DIE KLEINE HARFE, with the 1797 second edition of DAS KLEINE DAVIDSCHE PSALTERSPIEL (lacking two leaves) – including four leaves of manuscript material by an early owner.

Very good.

Price: $1,500.00

DAS KLEINE DAVIDISCHE PSALTERSPIEL DER KINDER ZIONS [with:] DIE KLEINE HARFE

American-German printer Samuel Saur founded his first printshop in Chestnut Hill in 1790. Among his earliest imprints, Saur "continued the tradition of his grandfather and father by printing hymnals for the Brethren and other sectarians, with the sixth edition of Das Kleine Davidische Psalterspiel (1791) and the small but influential first edition of Die Kleine Harfe (1792), which contained original hymns of the Brethren" (Durnbaugh 66). (The Brethren Church was a Protestant denomination with Anabaptist roots that settled in Germantown, Pennsylvania around 1723; like Quakers and Mennonites, they are pacifists, and forbade members from becoming slaveholders.) After a brief move to Philadelphia, Saur finally settled in Baltmore in 1795. The first issue of DIE KLEINE HARFE, contained here, was printed in Chestnut Hill in 1792. Upon printing a second edition of DAS KLEINE DAVIDSCHE PSALTERSPIEL in Baltimore in 1797, he issued the two together – though the collection is more typically found with the 1797 second edition of DIE KLEINE HARFE, not the scarce 1792 first. This copy also has four full-page manuscript notes dated 1810, including a number of fabulous large German initials. An outstanding survival in contemporary sheep binding, with early owner inscriptions.

Read more: Durnbaugh, Samuel Saur (1767-1820): German-American printer and typefounder; Evans 31815.

The Object

Baltimore; Chestnut Hill: Samuel Saur, 1797, 1792. Full titles: Das Kleine Davidishche Psalterspiel Der Kinder Zions, Von Alten und Neuen auserlesenen Geistes Gesangen, Allen wahren Heilsbegierigen Sauglingen der Weisheit, Insonderheit aber Denen Gemeinden des Herrn, zum Dienst und Gebrauch mit Fleiss zusammen getragen in gegenwartig-beliebiger Form und Ordnung. Nebst einem dreyfachen, darzu nutzlichen und der Materien halben nothigen Register. WITH: Die Kleine Harfe, Gestimmet von unterschiedlichen Lieblichen Liedern oder Lob-Gesangen, Welche gehoret werden Von den Enden der Orden, zu Ohren dem Gerechten. 12mo and 16mo; 6.5'' x 3.75''. Full contemporary sheep ruled in blind, raised bands, metal clasps on sheep strips. [6], 1-556, 561-572, [20] pages; 55, [1] pages. DAS KLEINE DAVIDISCHE lacking leaves Z6 and Z7. Four leaves (two at front, two at rear) filled with manuscript notes in German, including large decorative initials. Light to moderate wear to contemporary binding. Some dampstaining around margins, uniform browning to text.

The Fine Print

We work hard to meet our ethical responsibility to describe our material accurately. All items are guaranteed as described and may be returned for any reason within 30 days. Please notify us before mailing a return.

We guarantee the authenticity of our items. All materials are original (meaning not facsimiles or reproductions) unless otherwise noted. First editions (meaning first edition, first printing) are explicitly stated. TPM is a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America and upholds their Code of Ethics.

All photographs are of the actual item for sale. We're happy to provide additional images on request.

All domestic orders ship gratis. For orders under $250, free USPS media mail shipping is included; orders $250 and over ship USPS Priority. International orders over $500 also ship gratis. Expedited, overnight, as well as other carriers (UPS, Fed-Ex, etc.), may carry additional costs beyond quoted rates. All orders receive tracking information and a direct contact in case of any questions.

International buyers are responsible for any customs, taxes, and related import fees. Please note that we are unable to accomodate requests to misrepresent, misdeclare, or otherwise falsify customs documents when shipping internationally. We appreciate your understanding.

We accept all major credit cards, Paypal, Venmo, check, money order, and bank wire. We are happy to bill institutional buyers' needs. Sales tax will be added to applicable purchases. Items subject to prior sale.

If for any reason you are dissatisfied with your purchase, please contact us. We prioritize our long-term relationships far above any individual purchase, and we want you to love your item as much as we loved cataloguing it.

Add to Cart Ask a Question

More by Samuel Saur