Goethes Werke: Hamburger Ausgabe in 14 Bänden. Autobiographische Schriften, 2 / textkritisch durchgesehen von Lieselotte Blumenthal und Waltraud Loos, mit Anmerkungen versehen von Erich Trunz und Waltraud Loos

The Hamburger Ausgabe, or Hamburg Edition, was conceived in the aftermath of the Second World War as a definitive, scholarly effort to make the works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe accessible to a broad readership while maintaining rigorous academic standards. Under the general editorship of Erich Trunz, the series was published by Christian Wegner Verlag starting in 1948. Its design prioritized a clean, scholarly layout, favoring clarity and longevity, which allowed the collection to become the standard reference for German-speaking scholars and students throughout the late 20th century.

This specific volume, focusing on autobiographical writings, reflects the editorial meticulousness that defined the entire 14-volume set. Editors Lieselotte Blumenthal and Waltraud Loos provided the text-critical review, ensuring that the primary sources were treated with the historical sensitivity required for Goethe's deeply personal narratives. The series was widely praised for its balance between an accessible format and extensive, scholarly annotations, effectively cementing its reputation as an essential library fixture for those studying the evolution of German classicism.