Goethe, Die Leiden des jungen Werthers, Leipzig, 1774, contemporary marbled calf

GOETHE, JOHANN WOLFGANG VON

Die Leiden des jungen Werthers. Erster (-Zweyter) Theil. Leipzig: Weygand, 1774

2 parts in one volume (with continuous collation), 8vo (160 x 88mm.), engraved vignette on first title-page, woodcut vignette on second title-page, woodcut initials and headpieces, p. 39 misnumbered p.36, errata on last page, contemporary marbled calf, spine gilt in compartments, later pencil annotation to A4, small paper flaw at head of D1, spine creased and chipped at head

FIRST ISSUE, FIRST EDITION of Goethe's classic of romantic angst, The Sorrows of Young Werther, published when he was 25 years old. Its influence on society and on other writers was immense, even resulting in imitation suicides. When Goethe met Napoleon in 1808, despite all Goethe's subsequent writings, the conversation revolved around Werther. The success of the epistolary novel also rested on the autobiographical elements of it, as it related to an episode of Goethe's life, which he later resented; the text was somewhat revised for the 1787 edition.

LITERATURE:

Hagen, Goethe 80

PROVENANCE:

G. Weiland, early inscription on verso of flyleaf stating that this is probably the first edition; H.J.W. et filius, pencil note at end; Christian Heuer, bookplate