Book Information
1834 edition of a Catholic devotional prayer book originally authored by Martin von Cochem (1634–1712), a prominent German Capuchin friar, theologian, preacher, and ascetic writer. He was known for his accessible, heartfelt religious works aimed at the general public, making him one of the most influential Catholic popular authors of the Baroque era alongside figures like Abraham a Sancta Clara. His writings, often in simple language, focused on spiritual guidance, meditations, and prayers to deepen faith and understanding of the human soul. “Der große Baumgarten” (The Great Tree Garden) is one of his most enduring works, metaphorically representing a spiritual “garden” of prayers and reflections, drawing from late medieval traditions where gardens symbolized paradise or contemplative spaces. The book was first published in the late 17th century and saw numerous editions due to its popularity among lay Catholics.
Your copy’s title page reads as an abridged version in large print (“abgekürzt in großem Druck”), titled Katholisches A B C Buch, oder Aller unter dem Namen Baumgarten bekannten Morgen- Abend- Meß- Beicht- und Communiongebethe… (Catholic ABC Book, or All Known Under the Name Baumgarten: Morning, Evening, Mass, Confession, and Communion Prayers…). It includes powerful and graceful prayers for daily devotions, sacraments (like the Eucharist and Holy Trinity), feasts, pilgrimages, forbidden days, and special litanies. The content is geared toward all believers but emphasizes spiritual practices for women (“besonders zum andächtigen Gottes-Dienst des weiblichen Geschlechtes, gewidmet von P. Martin von Cochem”). It was printed with the approval of ecclesiastical authorities (“Mit Erlaubniß der hohen geistlichen Obern”).
• Publication Details: Published in Zweibrücken (now Zweibrücken, Germany) in 1834 by Verlag von Friedrich Keller. This is a 19th-century reprint/abridgment, not the original 17th-century edition, but still an antique from the Romantic era when such devotional books were widely circulated in German-speaking Catholic regions.
• Content Overview: Structured as a comprehensive prayer manual, it likely contains sections for daily meditations (possibly 365 entries for the year in full versions, though abridged here), hymns, litanies, and reflections on saints, the Virgin Mary, and the Passion. Illustrations or engravings are common in similar editions, though not visible in your photos.
• Historical Context: Cochem’s works were immensely popular, with “Baumgarten” reprinted dozens of times across centuries. This edition reflects the ongoing demand for affordable, large-print devotional texts in the early 19th century, amid Catholic revival movements in Europe.
Estimated Value
Based on recent and historical sales of similar editions (abridged, large-print versions of “Der große Baumgarten” from the 18th and early 19th centuries), the value depends heavily on condition, completeness, and rarity. Your copy shows age-appropriate wear: yellowed pages with spots, intact binding but with spine damage and flaking, and no obvious missing pages from the photos. It’s in fair to good antiquarian condition, not pristine.
For your 1834 Zweibrücken edition, which is a later reprint and thus less rare than 18th-century ones, I estimate a current market value of $100–250 USD (EUR 90–225). If it includes engravings, a full table of contents, or is complete without tears/losses, it could lean toward the higher end. Later editions like this were produced in larger quantities, reducing rarity, but its age and devotional appeal still attract collectors of religious antiquarian books. Auction results for similar Cochem works (e.g., at Zisska & Lacher or Forum Auctions) range from $0–450 for lots, often starting low if condition is average.
Based on the new images you provided, here is the identification and valuation of your book.
1. Book Identification
• Title: Der große Palmgarten (The Great Palm Garden)
• Subtitle: Katholisches Andachtsbuch (Catholic Devotional Book)
• Author: Father Martin von Cochem (1634–1712). He was a very famous Capuchin priest and a bestselling author of the Baroque era. His books were so popular they were reprinted for over 200 years.
• Publisher: Friedrich Keller
• Location: Zweibrücken, Germany
• Date: 1834
• Specifics: The title page notes this edition is "especially dedicated to the devout worship of the female sex," which was a common marketing designation for certain prayer books at the time.
2. Historical Context
This is a standard "Gebrauchsbuch" (utility book) for daily religious life. It contains prayers for Morning and Evening, Mass, Vespers, Confession, and Communion. Books like the Palmgarten were often the most valuable possession a family owned and were typically carried by emigrants (like your ancestor) to maintain their culture and faith in a new land.
3. Estimated Value
Estimate: $40 – $80 USD
Verdict: The monetary value is modest (under $100), but the historical value—specifically the handwritten record of your family's emigration to America in 1839—makes it a priceless genealogical artifact for your family history.