The book "Der Trompeter von Säkkingen"
On the Isle of Capri Scheffel wrote his first work: the "Trompeter von Säckingen". The first editions sold very slowly, but
after 1870 the sales increased rapidly. In 1921 the 322th edition was published. The generations of those days devoured Scheffel's poem.
At work: Scheffel above the roofs
of Capri.
Illustration by Anton von Werner in the édition deluxe
In 1852 Scheffel went to Italy, to Rome - to become a painter. And
he really was talented in drawing and painting. In the Trumpeter's Castle some of his pictures are exhibited. But soon he moved on to Capri,
and in only a few weeks he wrote his epic poem. The "Trompeter" became his masterpiece, his having not written anything important
before. The story of two lovers who could be together only after a set of very unusual incidents. Werner and the titled Margareta met in
Säckingen, but the social difference made a marriage impossible. After five years of separation the compassionate pope changed Werner
Kirchhof into 'Marchese Camposanto' and made him an acceptable fiancée.
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