[ALBUM AMICORUM] RICHTER, Julius. Stammbuch or Friendship Book of Julius Richter. Meissen / Dresden. 1801-1842. Landscape format, approx 120mm x 205mm. Pale blue silk covered box worn, some staining, with gilt floral decoration containing over 50 items including a folded watercolour and poem, 2 delicate watercolours of roses, a pencil sketch, a lock of hair and ribbon in a fold of paper, letters, inscriptions and poems. A fine collection of personal messages and thoughts. Called an Album Amicorum (Book of Friends) or Stammbuch (Friendship book), these books were popular with students in Germany and Central Europe through until the mid 19th century. The examples that we have had previously used small decorated boxes imitating a bound volume ( as in this example) instead of an album, and usually in an oblong format. This is the largest example of this type that we have handled. There are numerous entries of pupils and teachers of the Royal Saxon Landesschule Sankt Afra in Meissen, including (Friedrich) Maxim. Oertel (an historian in St. Afra) and Karl Justis Wilhelm Kreyssig (Latin professor in St. Afra). Most entries are dated St. Afra 1822-29. Some inscribers recall the common "brotherhood", which may be a precursor of the student association "Leipziger Landsmannschaft Afrania", founded in 1839. In addition there are some earlier entries from Meissen and Pforta, dated 1801-1804. Among the letters there is one from Richter's father ("Richter / an der Liecke", with the title "Lieber Julius!"), also a humorous 3 page poem "Der Berliner Ballonhandler".