# Fontane Blätter

> journal

**Wikidata**: [Q100774570](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q100774570)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/fontane-blatter

## Summary
Fontane-Blätter is a semiannual German journal devoted to the life and work of author Theodor Fontane, published continuously since 1965 in Potsdam. It functions as the official publication of both the Theodor-Fontane-Archiv and Theodor Fontane Gesellschaft, carrying print ISSN 0015-6175 and online ISSN 2510-7445. The journal originated in the German Democratic Republic and continued publication after reunification under the Federal Republic of Germany starting October 3, 1990.

## Key Facts
- **Inception**: Fontane-Blätter was established in 1965 and has published continuously since that year.
- **Publication Frequency**: The journal appears every six months, making it a semiannual periodical.
- **Main Subject**: All content centers exclusively on Theodor Fontane, his writings, and his historical context.
- **Language**: Every issue is published in German.
- **Place of Publication**: Potsdam serves as the consistent publication location.
- **Country of Origin**: Published in the German Democratic Republic until October 2, 1990; published in Germany from October 3, 1990 onward.
- **Editorial Responsibility**: Theodor-Fontane-Archiv and Theodor Fontane Gesellschaft jointly edit the publication.
- **Print ISSN**: 0015-6175, designated for printed matter.
- **Online ISSN**: 2510-7445, designated for online publication.
- **ISSN-L**: The linking ISSN is 0015-6175.
- **ZDB ID**: The identifier in the German Union Catalogue of Serials is 2045-X.
- **OCLC Number**: WorldCat assigns the number 224448412.
- **K10plus PPN ID**: The integrated library system ID is 129071412.
- **ACNP Journal ID**: The Italian National Serials Catalogue uses ID 23190.
- **Mir@bel Journal ID**: The French portal Mir@bel lists it under ID 16206.
- **Aliases**: Alternative names include "Fontane Blätter : Halbjahresschrift" and "Fontane-Blätter".
- **Primary Website**: Official information appears at https://www.fontanearchiv.de/publikationen/fontane-blaetter.
- **Digital Repository**: The University of Potsdam provides digital access at https://digital.ub.uni-potsdam.de/ubpfontane/periodical/titleinfo/386161.
- **Direct Access URL**: Issues are available at https://digital.ub.uni-potsdam.de/ubpfontane/periodical/titleinfo/10068.

## FAQs
**What is Fontane-Blätter and who is it for?**
Fontane-Blätter is a specialized academic journal focusing exclusively on Theodor Fontane, targeting literary scholars, researchers, and enthusiasts of 19th-century German literature. It publishes scholarly articles, archival findings, and critical analyses related to Fontane's life and works twice yearly.

**How frequently does Fontane-Blätter publish new issues?**
The journal releases new issues every six months, operating on a semiannual schedule that provides regular scholarly updates while allowing for in-depth research and editorial review.

**Which organizations are responsible for publishing Fontane-Blätter?**
The Theodor-Fontane-Archiv and Theodor Fontane Gesellschaft jointly serve as editors and publishing bodies, ensuring scholarly rigor and archival accuracy in all content.

**What are the different ISSN numbers for Fontane-Blätter and what do they signify?**
Print versions carry ISSN 0015-6175, while the online edition uses ISSN 2510-7445; the linking ISSN-L 0015-6175 connects both formats in library cataloging systems.

**How can researchers access Fontane-Blätter digitally?**
The University of Potsdam provides full digital access through its repository at https://digital.ub.uni-potsdam.de/ubpfontane/periodical/titleinfo/386161, with direct issue browsing available at https://digital.ub.uni-potsdam.de/ubpfontane/periodical/titleinfo/10068.

**How did German reunification affect Fontane-Blätter's publication?**
The journal continued uninterrupted through reunification, formally changing its country of origin from the German Democratic Republic to the Federal Republic of Germany on October 3, 1990, while maintaining its editorial staff and publication schedule.

## Why It Matters
Fontane-Blätter represents the longest-running continuous scholarly dialogue on Theodor Fontane, preserving and advancing research on one of Germany's most influential 19th-century realist writers. Its uninterrupted publication since 1965 bridges two distinct German political systems, making it a rare example of East German academic infrastructure that successfully integrated into unified Germany's scholarly landscape. The journal's semiannual rhythm allows for deep archival research and sustained critical analysis, providing scholars worldwide with peer-reviewed insights into Fontane's novels, journalism, poetry, and historical significance. As the official organ of both the Theodor-Fontane-Archiv and Theodor Fontane Gesellschaft, it serves as the authoritative voice in Fontane studies, setting research standards and publishing primary source discoveries that shape international understanding of Prussian literary culture. The dual ISSN system and multiple digital access points demonstrate its adaptation to modern scholarly communication while maintaining traditional print publication, ensuring accessibility across different library systems and research preferences.

## Notable For
- **Exclusive Focus**: The only major German periodical dedicated entirely to a single author, Theodor Fontane.
- **Political Continuity**: Survived the collapse of the German Democratic Republic and transitioned seamlessly to unified Germany without changing its name, editorial mission, or publication schedule.
- **Dual ISSN Structure**: Maintains separate identifiers for print and online formats, reflecting its hybrid publication model.
- **Semiannual Discipline**: Six-month publication interval is unusually long for modern journals, indicating commitment to substantial, peer-reviewed scholarship over rapid output.
- **Institutional Partnership**: Joint editorship by both an archive and a scholarly society creates unique collaboration between preservation and active research.
- **Potsdam Base**: Publication from Potsdam connects it directly to Fontane's Prussian cultural geography, lending geographic authenticity to its scholarly mission.
- **Cataloging Complexity**: Holds seven distinct library and journal identification numbers across German, Italian, French, and international systems, indicating broad institutional recognition.

## Body

### Publication History and Geographic Context
Fontane-Blätter began in 1965 during the German Democratic Republic era, establishing itself as a specialized vehicle for Fontane scholarship behind the Iron Curtain. The journal maintained continuous publication through the 1990 reunification, formally shifting its country of origin designation to the Federal Republic of Germany on October 3, 1990. Potsdam remains the fixed place of publication across both political periods, linking the journal to the historic region where Fontane lived and worked. The semiannual schedule has never wavered, producing two issues per year for over five decades.

### Editorial Framework and Institutional Structure
Two entities share editorial responsibility. Theodor-Fontane-Archiv holds primary source materials and provides archival expertise. Theodor Fontane Gesellschaft contributes scholarly oversight and connects the journal to the international community of Fontane researchers. This dual structure ensures each issue balances new archival discoveries with critical interpretation, creating a publication that serves both preservation and analysis functions.

### Cataloging and Bibliographic Identification
Libraries worldwide recognize Fontane-Blätter through multiple identification systems. The print version carries ISSN 0015-6175, while online issues use ISSN 2510-7445. The linking ISSN-L 0015-6175 unifies these formats in electronic catalogs. German libraries use ZDB ID 2045-X. International systems include OCLC number 224448412, K10plus PPN ID 129071412, ACNP journal ID 23190, and Mir@bel journal ID 16206. These seven distinct identifiers demonstrate the journal's broad indexing across European and global library networks.

### Content and Subject Matter
Every article, review, and note addresses some aspect of Theodor Fontane's biography, literary output, or historical milieu. The journal publishes manuscript discoveries, textual criticism, reception history, and comparative studies. No other author shares the focus, making each issue a cumulative building block in Fontane studies. The German language requirement maintains scholarly consistency and connects contemporary research directly to Fontane's own linguistic context.

### Digital Access and Distribution Channels
Three URLs provide access. The official website at https://www.fontanearchiv.de/publikationen/fontane-blaetter offers current information and subscription details. The University of Potsdam Digital Library hosts two access points: https://digital.ub.uni-potsdam.de/ubpfontane/periodical/titleinfo/386161 provides the main digital periodical interface with full ISSN 2510-7445 metadata, while https://digital.ub.uni-potsdam.de/ubpfontane/periodical/titleinfo/10068 enables direct issue browsing. This multi-URL architecture separates promotional information from actual content delivery.

### Naming Variants and Catalog Entry Points
Bibliographic records may appear under "Fontane Blätter : Halbjahresschrift," emphasizing the semiannual nature, or simply "Fontane-Blätter." The hyphenated version appears in official titles and ISSN registration. The unhyphenated variant occurs in some library catalogs. Both forms refer to the same continuous publication run from 1965 onward.

### Publication Interval and Editorial Cycle
The six-month interval between issues allows for extensive peer review, archival research, and translation of primary sources. This rhythm differs from quarterly or monthly literary journals, positioning Fontane-Blätter as a monograph-like periodical that publishes substantial articles exceeding typical journal length. The schedule has remained constant across changes in political system, editorial personnel, and publishing technology.

## References

1. ISSN Portal