The Heinzelmännchen Plate 10
1912
This 1912 illustration by Fritz Gareis Jr. captures a hilarious moment from the famous German legend of the Cologne Heinzelmännchen, or house goblins. The top panel shows a 'Weinkeller' (wine cellar) where the human workers have passed out drunk, while the German text explains that before the cooper even woke up, the goblins had already clarified and perfected the wine. The bottom panel shows the hungover crew stumbling out into the daylight, completely unaware of the magical help they received during the night. This story is a staple of German folklore, and the goblins are so famous in Cologne that a bronze fountain was built in their honor in 1899.