SENANCOUR (Étienne Pivert de). Oberman. Paris, Cérioux, 1804. 2 volumes in-8, half-brown basane, smooth spine decorated, red title and green tomaison, speckled jonquille edges (Binding of the period). Very rare and much sought-after first edition of this pre-romantic masterpiece. "When Senancour published Oberman in 1804, at the height of the imperial epic, he was aware that the essentially domestic story he told would only be read by a privileged few. Recognition of his work came late and was largely due to the glowing articles and prefaces by Sainte-Beuve (1832-1833) and George Sand (1833). The Romantics turned the character of Oberman into a figure of the "evil of the century", who, like them, had experienced the torments of solitude, boredom and doubt. Senancour became a kind of prophet for this younger generation...". (BnF, Essentiels Littérature). A very fine copy in attractive contemporary binding. It bears the handwritten note on the title: "From the author". From the Charles Este Smyth library, with handwritten ex-libris of the period on the false title of the second volume. Attached is an interesting autograph letter signed by Senancour to his publisher (1 p. in-4 dated 8 February with a dry stamp from Bath): "You are probably unaware, Sir, that at the printing works they took the liberty of finishing the volume without my last printing warrant and of deleting a small sheet following the notes. This sort of notice was necessary. Only I had to make a change for fear that a word that was ambiguous might upset you. This strange procedure also results in some rather crude printing errors. I have written strongly to the printer about this. I have no intention of getting used to such inconsiderate treatment. I will explain it better in two words when I have, as you have led me to hope, the advantage of seeing you. You have sent me six advance copies of the fifteen we agreed on. Thank you for this, Sir, and I send you a thousand greetings from Obermann, if you please, and from myself. Merland, 23 - Monglond, VI, 870 - En français dans le texte, n°209.