‎GOETHE, JOHANN WOLFGANG von.‎
‎Die Leiden des jungen Werthers. Zweynte ächte Auflage. 2 parts. - [THE MAIN WORK OF THE STURM UND DRANG-ERA. - THE WORLD'S FIRST CULT BOOK]‎

‎Strassburg & Hanau, 1775. 8vo. Two parts both in the original blank boards. A number a previous owner's name in near contemporary hand to verso of front boards. Boards with a few stains and internally with light occassional brownspotting, but overall a good unsophisticated copy. 95 pp. pp. 97-192.‎

Reference : 62794

‎Very scarce early edition (D2a) of Goethe's monumental novel-debut, which immediately became a major success and one of the most influential and popular books of the 18th century. The novel caused Goethe almost overnight fame. The style of writing has influenced an entire generation of writers. No other of Goethe's works has been so widely read by his contemporaries, and no other work in general has been of as great importance to the Sturm und Drang-period" the work also caused the so-called ""Lesesucht"" (the important and wide-ranging debate in late 18th century on misreading and on dangerous and harmful literature). The impact it had on not only literature, but on almost all aspects of life at the time, was immense and unheard of. Werther might well be the first cult-figure ever"" -a true ""Werther-Fieber"" broke loose, resulting in a distinct Werther-fashion (yellow trousers, yellow waist-coat, blue coat, high turned-down boots, round felt hat and un-powdered hair, as described by Goethe in the novel), Werther-perfume, Werther-cups etc. Numerous people susceptible to influence actually killed themselves in sympathy with the suffering Werther or overwhelmed by the gulf that separates the outer from the inner world suggested in the novel (the first copycat-suicides of the world, -many of the bodies were found with the book in their hands), and the work incited the romantic urge for revolution"" the work is also said to have been Napoleon's favourite novel, which he carried with him at all times. Goethe himself was very surprised by the impact of the work, and said about it: ""Die Wirkung dieses Büchleins war groß, ja ungeheuer, und vorzüglich deshalb, weil es genau in die rechte Zeit traf."" (Dichtung und Wahrheit). This literary masterpiece may be called the first German novel of world literary class, and it not only seems like a modern work of fiction, it is a work which has irreversibly shaped the feeling of life which is specific to modern man. Hagen 89 (D2a).‎