First editions of German classics

With this app, the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek makes more than 30 German-language first editions from its extensive collections available in digital form. We invite you to discover the masterpieces of German literature on your smart phone or tablet, in a form you have not known so far.

Delve into "The Sorrows of Young Werther" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 – 1832) or immerse yourself in the playful language of the "Gallows Songs" by Christian Morgenstern (1871 – 1914). Follow the tracks of Heinrich Heine (1797 – 1856) in "Germany. A winter's tale", or be fascinated by the descriptions of nature in the collection of narratives by Adalbert Stifter (1805 – 1868) "Many-coloured stones". The psychological novel "Anton Reiser" by Karl Philipp Moritz (1756 – 1793), Arthur Schnitzler's (1862 – 1931) provocative partner-swapping drama "Reigen" and Franz Kafka's (1883 – 1924) unsettling, masterly novel "The Metamorphosis" are some further highlights of this selection composed of 30 works. The selected texts range from the era of Aufklärung to the 20th century. The texts reproduced in the app are either the first independent printed editions or a revised version that was substantially changed by the author.

The app offers you three different viewing options for reading the first editions: The classical e-book view, the original view showing the scans of the original book pages and the technically innovative hybrid view, combining the original view and the e-book view, offering the reader the option to individually superpose a preferred font on the original pages. The app thus offers you the feeling of the original and likewise a comfortable reading and annotation version.