Monarchists, Democrats, National Socialists

What do dedications in books tell us about the people who wrote them in? What do we learn about
those for whom they were intended? A search for clues.

Why does a writer give away a book that a colleague had gifted him “most sincerely”? Or who gives an abdicated emperor a literary work and wishes a “blessed Christmas”? Such handwritten dedications shed light on interpersonal relationships and open a historical window to bygone times.

The special exhibition at the Study Centre of the Herzogin Anna Amalia Bibliothek presents books with dedications from the first half of the 20^th century, which in turn made them one-of-a-kind collector’s items! The recipients and bestowers of these dedications belonged to a diverse range of political factions – monarchists, democrats and National Socialists. Yet how did their books end up in the library? In addition to personal backstories, the dedications are placed in their respective historical contexts.