Description
The Oxford Book of German Verse, the personal copy of Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss), which he used at Lincoln College, Oxford.
Octavo, xii, [596]. Blue cloth, title in gilt on spine and front cover. Light rubbing to boards, faint stain on front panel. Text block is stable and clean. Bookseller’s label on front endpaper. This copy is signed Theo Seuss Geisel on the front pastedown endpaper, and dated “Oxford. January 1926.” An exceptional piece from one of the best-selling children’s authors in history.
Geisel was the grandson of German immigrants and was fluent in German. He recalled to biographers that he used to play language games with his siblings, where he learned the rhythms of the poetry. After graduating from Dartmouth, Geisel entered Lincoln College at Oxford to pursue a Doctorate of Philosophy in English Literature. At Oxford he met his wife, Helen Palmer, who encouraged Geisel to become an illustrator, not a teacher. He did not finish his degree at Oxford, and returned to the United States in 1927.
