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Rare color photobook which is believed to be the only book from this era that documents the regions of Northern Germany and the former Eastern territories (East Prussia, Pomerania, West Prussia) in full color .
The book is particularly sought after for its rare color plates of the lost German East, featuring landmarks in Konigsberg, the Marienkirche in Danzig, the architecture of Elbing, and the sweeping dunes of the Curonian Spit. Beyond these lost territories, the book offers a masterful photographic study of rural life and traditional culture. Retzlaff, working with a Rolleiflex camera, created deeply expressive portraits that are considered masterpieces of the genre.
You will find striking close-ups of weathered fishermen from the coast, young farmers from Mecklenburg, and locals in traditional costumes (Tracht) from regions like the Luneburg Heath and Schaumburg. The images capture the character and physiognomy of the people with an intimacy that is rare for the time. Furthermore, the book is a treasure trove for architecture enthusiasts, showcasing magnificent half-timbered houses with intricate carvings, idyllic thatched-roof farmhouses in Westphalia and the Artland, and historic brick gothic buildings.
It documents a rural way of life that has largely vanished, showing scenes of harvesting, shepherds with their flocks, and the peaceful village life of the North German Plain. The combination of the Agfacolor aesthetic, the high-quality printing, and the poignant subject matter makes this linen-bound volume an absolute rarity for collectors of photographic history and anyone interested in the cultural heritage of Northern Germany and the former East.
In addition to the rare images of the East, the book provides a comprehensive photographic journey through the entirety of Northern Germany. It features atmospheric views and architectural studies of historic Hanseatic cities and towns, including Stralsund, Wismar, Neubrandenburg, and the Marienkirche in Prenzlau. The collection documents the rich heritage of Lubeck, Hamburg, and Bremen, alongside medieval gems like Quedlinburg, Stendal, Braunschweig, and Hildesheim. The photographer also captured the unique charm of smaller towns and rural locations such as Stade, Hameln (famous for the Pied Piper), Friedrichstadt, Quakenbruck, and Zons on the Lower Rhine. Scenic highlights extend to the island of Sylt (Keitum), the artists' village of Worpswede, the Luneburg Heath, and the mystical Externsteine near Detmold, offering a complete panorama of the region's cultural landscape.
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