Adèle HERRENSCHMIDT

First English edition — of a recognised theological work — based on the 1906 first edition written in German.
Contemporary Bradel publisher's khaki binding, smooth spine lettered with the title and author's name in gilt at head and with the publisher's name in gilt at foot, as well as gilt fillets at extremities, two blind-stamped fillets framing the boards. Autograph inscription by Albert Schweitzer in ink on the front free endpaper to Adèle Herrenschmidt, a friend he nicknamed "Tata" — and possibly lover according to some scholars — thirty-two years his senior, with whom he maintained a close relationship for nearly a quarter of a century and whom he accompanied on travels, he to write, she to rest, on account of her fragile health: "Fribourg 1910, April. As a keepsake. Albert S."
Spine ends slightly sunken, a few faint spots to the spine.
Provenance: library of Mme Adèle Herrenschmidt, by descent.

(our own translation)

First German edition, in part original, of this work devoted to one of Albert Schweitzer's intellectual guides, Johann Sebastian Bach, which he began in 1903 at the age of 28, at the suggestion of the preface's author, his organ professor Charles-Marie Widor. The first edition was published in 1905 in French with 455 pages. The First German edition, recognized by several scholars as constituting an entirely new work, considerably different from the previous edition, appeared in 1908 with 844 pages.

Copy enriched with a precious ink inscription to Adèle Herrenschmidt, on the verso of the first portrait of Bach, by Albert Schweitzer: "to A. H. / In memory of Grimmi and Celerina / Albert." (our own translation)

Contemporary German Bradel binding in half white vellum, smooth spine, title in pen, marbled paper boards, original wrappers preserved. Fine condition.

A 5 cm tear slightly affecting the text on p. 713, a small fold to the lower right corner of p. 715, a few other minor marginal tears.

Illustrated edition with a portrait of the composer as frontispiece, a second portrait, and three further plates within the text.

Autograph annotations by Albert Schweitzer in ink in the upper margins appear on pp. 5, 51, 398, 467, 673, 683, 699, 745, and 763:

• P. 5: "Pag. 4–50: Grimmialp – August 1906"
• P. 51: "Pag. 50–80. Baden (Switzerland): September 1906"
• P. 398: "Pag. 398–449: Günsbach: Sept. October 1907"
• P. 467: "Pag. 466–510: ?bleu [illegible] und Celerina. 20 August 1907 – Sept."
• P. 673: "Celerina. August 1907"
• P. 683: "Celerina. August 1907"
• P. 699: "Günsbach: August 1907"
• P. 745: "S. 744–762 Celerina Sept. 07"
• P. 763: "763 ff. Günsbach 08" (our own translation)