BERBIGUIER (Alexis). Les Farfadets, ou tous les démons ne sont pas de l'autre monde. Paris, chez l'auteur et P. Gueffier, 1821. 3 volumes in-8, half fawn basane, cold roulette on the spines, smooth spine decorated throughout, smooth edges (period binding). First edition of this great classic of paranoid literature, self-published in only 400 copies, some of which the author is said to have destroyed himself. Very curious lithographed illustration by Langlumé after Quinart including a portrait of the author and eight plates out of text, one of which is folding. Alexis-Vincent-Charles Berbiguier (1764-1851), known as Berbiguier de Terre-Neuve du Thym, a native of Carpentras, was obsessed throughout his life with demonic creatures he called leprechauns. His family referred him to the famous Philippe Pinel, a pioneer of psychotherapy, who was unable to cure him and incurred the hatred of the enlightened man. "Berbiguier believes that the spirits that torment him under the orders of Doctor Pinel, "their general-in-chief" and "Satan's representative", are of the leprechaun variety, and he lists all the means he has discovered to combat them" (Dorbon). The jewel in the crown of literary collections of madmen, Les Farfadets is a unique work of introspection into delusional psychosis. As such, it has fascinated psychiatrists such as Brierre de Boismont, Baillarger, Tissot, Lévy-Valensi and Vinchon. An elegant copy bound in contemporary style, with the typographical bookplate of Dr Thérin. Minor rubbing, spine slightly faded, some foxing. Caillet, n°973 - Dorbon, n°286 - Blavier, 564 - Oberlé, Fous littéraires, n°50 - Reboul, 262 - Barjavel, I, 172.