NIETZSCHE, Friederich.

Unzeitgemässe Betrachtungen IV: Richard Wagner In Bayreuth (Unconventional Observation IV: Richard Wagner in Bayreuth).

Chemnitz: Ernst Schmeitzner, 1876. FIRST EDITION TP + [3]-98 + 1 leaf, Octavo. Schaberg 27. This,the last Untimely Meditation published, was released to coincide with very first performance at the Bayreuth Festival in July of 1876. This is the last of Nietzsche's works that mentions Wagner favorably and even here the picture presented of Wagner shows some signs of the troubles to come. In Nietzsche's view, the creation of Bayreuth represented the new empire of which it had become one of the cultural centers. It symbolized for Nietzsche "the extirpation of the German spirit in favor of the German Reich." Nietzsche actually agonized over releasing the book and significantly rewrote some sections to palliate the expression of his misgivings about his erstwhile friend and idol, but he was tempted by the possibility that at last he might have a best seller on his hands. Even while working on the present pro-Wagner essay, Nietzsche had already filled his notebooks with observations on the rift that now separated him spiritually from the composer. In finally breaking with Wagner a few years later, Nietzsche saw himself "rejecting a mass movement and a Weltanschauung to which he could not subscribe." Despite Nietzsche's ambivalence, Wagner was sufficiently impressed with the book to send a copy to his mentor King Ludwig. Nonetheless, the book, like all of Nietzsche's works, sold poorly. Contemporary drab boards with a hand written paper label on the spine. Spine edges a bit rubbed. The title page is separated from binding at the gutter on the bottom four inches. Otherwise, a very nice copy with the slightly yellowed pages that is typical of this edition. PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

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• bookseller: Athena Rare Books (USA)