ROSNY (J.-H.). Les Xipéhuz. Paris : Nouvelle librairie parisienne, Albert Savine, 1888. - In-8, paperback. Very rare first edition of this short novel by J.-H. Rosny aîné, pseudonym of Joseph Henri Honoré Boex, one of the great founders of modern science fiction. This is a prehistoric tale in which humans encounter a non-organic intelligence. A first version had appeared in the collection "L'immolation" in July 1887. although dated 1888 on the cover and on the title, this edition began to be distributed in December 1887. PRECIOUS EXEMPLAIRE OF ÉMILE ZOLA, bearing this dispatch on the false title: " Hommage au Maître, // à Emile Zola. // J. H. Rosny. " This provenance is very important and very surprising when we know that J.-H. Rosny was one of the five signatories of the "Manifesto of the Five". The latter was an open letter to Émile Zola, which appeared in "Le Figaro" on 18 August 1887, following the publication of his novel "La Terre". The authors reproached the novelist for his vulgarity, his lack of seriousness and his repetitions which, according to them, were made in a purely mercantile purpose. Unpunched copy. Cover very damaged and stained, spine mostly missing, tears on the edge of the boards, the first board is unraveled.