BRILLAT-SAVARIN (Anthelme)]. Physiology of taste or Meditations of transcendental gastronomy; theoretical, historical and current work, dedicated to Parisian gastronomes, by a professor, member of several literary and learned societies. Paris, A. Sautelet et Cie, 1826. 2 vol. in-8, red half calf with small corners, smooth spine decorated in gold and black, black title and gumshoe, untrimmed (Binding of the period). I) (1) f. of notice, xiv pp., (5) to 390 pp. - II) 442 pp. First edition. Anonymous, it was printed in 500 copies only, at the expense of the author and put on the market in December 1825. Only two months later, Brillat-Savarin died, without knowing the future success of his work. Nice copy of the first edition, with the E of "Bourse" placed horizontally, at the bottom of the title of volume I. Nice binding of the period. Attached is a handwritten letter signed by the author, 4 pp. in-8 folded, dated Versailles, Thursday June 25, 1789; the last two pages are autographed (the first two seem to be in another hand). He relates the troubles around the constitution of the National Assembly, and sends "two copies of the main acts of our assembly [presided by Bailli], I beg you to give one to my father". Provenance : Collection Louis Leguay. With stamp. Minor foxing. Vicaire, 116 - Carteret I, 146 - Oberlé, Fastes, 144.