Kleist, Heinrich von. The Schroffenstein family. A funeral play in five elevators. Title, 265 S. Black Maroquin d. C. (edges slightly toasted) with gold-embossed RSchild (splittered) and rich gold embossion. Bern and Zürch (sic!), Gessner, 1803. Goedeke VI 100, 1. Sembdner 1. Borst 947. – First edition of Kleist's first, anonymous publication, extremely rare. Although published in a small Swiss publishing house and in less accurate print, the first work of the twenty-five-year-old Kleist caused considerable attention at the time of publication. The friends in Switzerland, Ludwig Wieland and Heinrich Gessner, had reworked the manuscript after Kleist's departure and made it ready for printing, not at all to Kleist ́s satisfaction, who called the book a 'poor Sharteke' and did not want to reveal his name for it" (Sembdner in: Marbacher Magazin 7, Nr 1.). – A little flaky, slightly tanned in places. Two sheets with deposited lusciousness (without loss of text). Title with entry of the author, further possession note (this also on the last sheet) and verso stamped. Book block slightly broken and slightly warped, resolutions renewed.