Yes, there are few misidentified photos -- easily correctable for the next edition -- but on balance, this book strikes a golden shot, wonderful glimpses into the photograph collection belonging to the Princely family of Hohenzollern.
German publisher Gmeiner was given access to the private family albums of the princely house of Hohenzollern. The book is divided into seven chapters: Writing in Light, The Imperial Prussian House, Castles and Residences, Celebrations and Recreation at Court, Small Worlds and Related Royal Houses.
Oh, did I tell you the book's text and captions are in German and English. Woo hoo!
The authors, Karen Kuehl and Anette Hahnel, offer a perspective on how the Hohenzollerns adopted the use of the camera, especially from Karl Anton, Prinz of Hohenzollern.
One of the oldest photos in the collection is from 1858, and shows Ferdinand II, Pedro V and Queen Stephanie of Portugal. The photo was taken at the time of Pedro and Stephanie's wedding near Sintra. Princess Stephanie, born a Princess of Hohenzollern, died only a year after her marriage. Her husband died a year later from cholera.
There is a wonderful family group photo taken at Doorn on the occasion of Kaiser Wilhelm II's 75th birthday.
The Romanian royal family, a branch of the princely family, are also included in this book. There are also photographs of more recent members of the princely family, including a rather sweet photograph of twin sisters, Princesses Maria Adelgunde and Maria Antonia licking a tree.
The princely family owns Schloss Sigmaringen and several other residences, including Schloss Umkirch and Joseflust. The Small world chapter focuses on the children of the family. My favorite photo in this chapter is from 1895 and shows Prince Carol of Romania, Hereditary Prince Friedrich Victor, Prince Franz Joseph and Princess Auguste Viktoria of Hohenzollern. There are also several photos of the present Prince of Hohenzollern, Karl Friedrich, as a child.
160 pages. Publisher by Gmeiner. The cost is €19.90. The best way to order is from Amazon.com. Overseas postage is not prohibitive, and if you have a credit card set up for Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk, you can breeze through the Amazon.de checkout .. it will be in German, but that should not be a major issue.
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