There are two editions under this name both produced by Villeroy & Boch and illustrated by Gero Trauth, born 1942 in Silesia. The first series was released beginning in 1986 and the second beginning in 1990. At the time of the first set's release there was no plan for a second set so there is no "First Edition" marking. The second series, however, is marked "Edition No. 2". There were 19,900 units of each series manufactured.

In addition to the "Edition No. 2" marking, there are two other easy ways to tell them apart. The sizes are different: Edition 1 is 8 1/4" in diameter and Edition 2 is 8 1/2" in diameter. The series names on the reverse of the plates are:

                        First edition:                               MARCHEN AUS DEM




                        Second edition:                                 Zaubermarchen






Edition No. 1 - MARCHEN AUS DEM ALTEN RUSSLAND

        Zar Bar - Tsar Bear                             
        Bradex 22-H18-13.1    (Ivan Tsarevitch and Marja Tsarevna riding on the bear)

        Morozko - Morozko                                           
        Bradex 22-H18-13.2    (Morozko and Father Frost)

        Tsar Saltan - Zar Saltan                       
        Bradex 22-H18-13.3    (Prince Gvidion protecting the Swan from the Black Hawk)

        Die Steinblume - The Stone Flower
        Bradex 22-H18-13.4    (The mistress of Copper Mountain presenting Katya the Malachite Box)

        Rusean und Ludmilla - Rusean and Ludmilla   
        Bradex 22-H18-13.5    (Ludmilla in Chernomo's Garden)

        Alyonushka - Alyonushka
        Bradex 22-H18-13.6    (Alyonushka and Ivanushka)


Edition No 2 - Zaubermarchen aus den alten Russland

        Der Feuervogel und Ivan
        (Ivan and the Firebird)

        Der Hase und die Troika
        (The Hare and the Troika)

        Der Hirsch und Marjusa
        (The Deer and the Marjusa)

        Der Goldene Hahn und Zar Dadon
        (The Golden Cock and Zar Dadon)

        Wasservogel und Lutonja-Lindenbastchen
        (The Aquatic Fauna and Lutonja)

        Die Kuh Brauchen und Marja Zarewna
        (Brownie and Marja Zarewna)


Please let me know if you have questions or comments. I am not a dealer and I do not sell.

Ralph Vaughan