The German publishing house Müller & Schindler has become world-famous for its facsimile editions. Founded in 1965, the publishing house has set itself the goal of making cultural and historical heritage accessible through book art. The first work was a facsimile of the Song of the Nibelungs, the German heroic epic about Siegfried, the dragon slayer.

We met the publisher Charlotte Kramer, who took over the publishing house from her father Manfred Kramer. She was the only German publisher at the International Book Fair in Riyadh this year.

This is particularly important as many of Ismai's original manuscripts are held in European institutions and are considered difficult to access. Many people only have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with their culture through book art via facsimile editions. The "Edition Meisterwerke der islamischen Buchkunst" ("Masterpieces of Islamic Book Art") edition was also on display. According to the publisher, it forms "a globally unique collection and impressively demonstrates the artistry of calligraphers and illuminators from the most diverse cultures of the Islamic world". Book art from the most diverse Islamic cultures from over 1000 years has been incorporated into the work.

In a facsimile, each individual page is reproduced true to the original, whereby every aspect of the illustration - from the colouring and the application of gold to the trimming of the pages - must be reproduced down to the smallest detail. 

11. December 2023

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Interview Directory 

BUSINESS/ART

Name: Charlotte Kramer

Occupation: Publisher, owner Müller & Schindler

"In a world in which many cultures live in all regions of the world and have found their home, it is always important to have access to one's own roots and to share them."

You had a book stand at the Riyadh International Book Fair. How was the fair for your publishing house? 

It was a very interesting experience and there was a lot of interest in our work. We were also the only German publisher at the fair. 

You also presented the "Edition Masterpieces of Islamic Book Art" at the fair and described your publishing house as a cultural ambassador between Western and Islamic culture. Can you explain this to readers in more detail? 

We are increasingly including new titles in our publishing programme that are of great importance to both the Western and Islamic worlds. Firstly, many of the original manuscripts are located in European institutions and are difficult to access, and our editions enable us to return these manuscripts to their countries of origin and make them accessible.

The reverse is also true, of course: many documents are in libraries in Islamic countries and are difficult to access for a large circle of interested parties, but are important works for scholars. Facsimile editions make them accessible and researchable worldwide.

In a world in which many cultures live in all regions of the world and have found their home, it is always important to have access to one's own roots and to share them. Only education, knowledge and access to a common cultural heritage make it possible to live together respectfully and with understanding. 

Who are the customers for such high-quality, valuable editions?

Institutions, academics, bibliophiles and private collectors.

Your father Manfred Kramer ran the publishing house for many years. We read that the publishing house was first bought by Bertelsmann and then had to cease operations. Had you already worked with your father at the publishing house? 

No, I didn't. I grew up in this environment and have known Faksimiles since I was a child, and we have always exchanged ideas and talked about projects and content, but never worked together in a company.

What is it like to bear this responsibility alone today? What challenges do you face in the publishing business today? 

I have always carried the responsibility alone, so this is nothing new for me and I have always enjoyed it very much. 

The challenges are on the one hand due to a changing market and rapid technological innovation and also image databases. On the one hand, the challenges have grown a lot due to a changing market and rapid technological innovation and also image databases, rights, access and now, of course, the topic of AI, but we are always looking to enrich and supplement our traditional publishing line with the latest developments and technologies and approaches. Tradition and innovation and state of the art characterise us and make our publishing work so exciting and unique.

"Edition Meisterwerke der islamischen Buchkunst" ©Müller & Schindler

Charlotte Kramer at her stand at International Book Fair in Riyadh this year.

©Müller & Schindler