Edition's History

There are three phases in the edition´s history of Rudolf Steiner´s work.

Phase 1: Different editors approached Rudolf Steiner and published some basic works. (1886 “Theory of Knowledge Implicit in Goethe´s World Conception, Spemann Edition;  1894 “A Philosophy of Freedom”, by Emil Felber, Berlin)

Phase 2: Rudolf Steiner´s companion Marie Steiner founded the “Philosophical-Theosophical Edition”, later “Philosophical- Anthroposophical Edition”) where Steiner´s lectures and writings were published until his death in 1925 ( 50 cycles of lectures and some single lectures). Until her death 1948, Marie Steiner, who was according to Rudolf Steiner´s legacy the editor of his works, undertook the publication of 500 titles.

Phase 3 started 1943 with the foundation the “Rudolf Steiner´Nachlassverwaltung”, into which Marie Steiner transferred the edition of Rudolf Steiner´s works and lectures. Soon the “Nachlassverwaltung” started to publish the collected works ( 300 volumes)systematically. Co- workers were in the beginnings honorary, but soon a professional group developed the pretentious task of nine study- and work edition. The complete situation of the sources of Rudolf Steiner´s works involved that  the work with the edition rules which are entering into a new phase today, has always been a “work in progress”.