Lot 203
Hoffman von Fallersleben, August Heinrich
Rare Books, Maps, Manuscripts & Photographs
Auction: 10 January 2007 at 11:00 GMT
Description
Autograph poem `Der Stern von Texas', comprising 4 six-line stanzas beginning ``Hin nach Texas, hin nach Texas/ Wo der Stern im blauen Felde / Eine neue Welt verkündet...'', dated 1845, 2 pages, 8vo, light overall browning
Footnote
Note: A hymn to the Lone Star state, by the author of `Deutschland über alles'. Hoffmann's interest in Texas began in 1843 when he became friendly with Gustav Dresel, the first German consul in Texas, who had written a journal of a recent visit there. Another friend, Adolf Fuchs, sailed for Texas with his family late in 1845, and this departure prompted the composition of the present poem. After reading Hermann Ehrenberg's book on the Texas revolution, Hoffmann compiled a collection of thirty-one Texanische Lieder , published in 1846. Such enthusiasm for the state led to his being offered 300 acres of land there and the prospect of a town named Fallersleben after him, though this never happened. Hoffmann also set an opera, In beiden Welten, in Texas, and approached Schumann to compose the music, but without success.