FICHTE, Johann Gottlieb.

Appellation an das Publicum über die durch ein Kurf. Sächs Confiscationsrescript ihm beigemessenen atheistischen Aeusserungen. Eine Schrift, die man erst zu lesen bittet, ehe man sie confiscirt. (Appeal to the Public Concerning the Accusation of the Expression of Atheistic Opinions).

Jena und Leipzig: Christian Ernst Gabler, 1799. FIRST EDITION, THIRD PRINTING TP + [1]-116 (mis-paginated, tthe last four pages after page 110 are 113, 114, 115, 116), small Octavo. (Lauth/Jacob 40b; Baumgartner/Jacobs A1.40bx). A popular work that required three printings in the first year. This is the third -- most easily identified by the full spelling of Fichte's title ("ordentlichen Professors") on the title page rather than the abbreviation used in the first printing, ("ordentl. Prof."). (The second printing was by a different printer.) Fichte's major statement in his own defense in the famous Atheismusstreit (Atheism Controversy) that embroiled the German intelligentsia in the closing years of the 18th century. The controversy was so significant that it takes up three full pages in the Encyclopedia of Philosophy (EP. Vol. I, pp. 189-192) -- as is worthy of an argument that actively involved Fichte, Goethe and even Immanuel Kant. Fichte had published an article in the Philosophiches Journal, of which he was co-editor, which lead to the publication of an anonymous pamphlet accusing him of atheism. The controversy quickly degenerated into a noisy national scandal involving religion, politics and academic freedom. In the end, Fichte was forced to resign his position at Jena -- leading to ten years in the academic hinterlands before he was called to the University of Berlin in 1810. Original green printed wraps which are detached along half of te top, front edge. Waterstain on upper outer corner of all large pages (some are much smaller) from pages 49 to 102. An uncut and fragile copy. PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

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• bookseller: Athena Rare Books (USA)