Thus Spake Zarathustra.: A book for all and none. Translated by Alexander Tille.

London: H. Henry and Co. Ltd,, 1896. The loftiest book on earth First British edition, first issue, of the first English translation of Nietzsche's masterwork, "his highest single achievement" (Schaberg), which had a profound impact on subsequent philosophical, political, and literary thinking. It remains the most widely read of his works. Nietzsche wrote in his autobiography: "In my lifework, my Zarathustra holds a place apart. With it, I gave my fellow-men the greatest gift that has ever been bestowed upon them. This book, the voice of which speaks out across the ages, is not only the loftiest book on earth, literally the book of mountain air - the whole phenomenon, mankind, lies at an incalculable distance beneath it - but it is also the deepest book, born of the inmost abundance of truth; an inexhaustible well, into which no pitcher can be lowered without coming up again laden with gold and with goodness" (Ecce Homo, 1911, p. 5). Zarathustra was originally published in German in four parts between 1883 and 1885, with the first three volumes written in a frenzy of creativity, each lasting only ten days. Alexander Tille, the translator, served as Lecturer of German Literature at the University of Glasgow from 1890 to 1900, whereupon he returned to Germany due to disputes with students over the Boer War. The present edition constitutes volume 8 of a projected 11-volume set of Nietzsche's writings in English, although it was in fact the second title published. It was also published the same year by the Macmillan Company in New York - though no specific publication dates could be confirmed, contemporary newspapers begin to announce it as published and received at the end of June in Britain, and from the middle of July in the US, and so it can be inferred this British edition was published slightly earlier. This copy is in the first issue binding with H. Henry and Co.'s imprint on the spine; T. Fisher Unwin later purchased and bound remaining sheets with their imprint. Octavo. Original blue cloth, spine and front cover lettered in gilt with roundels in blind, black endpapers, edges untrimmed. Date inscription (2 July 1903) to initial blank; partly removed Melbourne bookseller's ticket to the front pastedown; early ownership stamp to title page and inscription to contents page. Cloth a little rubbed and discoloured, short superficial split to front joint, browning from insert to pp. 8-9 else contents clean. A good copy. Printing and the Mind of Man 370 (first edition); Schaberg, pp. 87ff.