LA VILLEMARQUÉ (Théodore Hersart, vicomte de) Barzas-Breiz. Chants populaires de la Bretagne recueillis et publiés Avec une traduction française, des éclaircissements, des notes et les mélodies originales. Paris: Charpentier, Techener, 1839. - 2 volumes in-8, half-bassane with wine-colored corners, gilt fillets, ornate smooth spine, gilt edges (period binding). Rare first edition, printed in 500 copies, of this collection of Breton songs published by folklorist and historian of Celtic language and literature Théodore Hersant vicomte de La Villemarqué (1815-1895). The "Barzaz-Breiz", a collection of Breton songs compiled by La Villemarqué, enjoyed great success in France and Europe, with several editions and translations, despite a modest initial reception in 1839. The first edition, published by Charpentier in only 500 copies and refused by the Ministry of Public Instruction, contains 53 historical, love and religious songs, presented in Breton with French translations. Although La Villemarqué traveled throughout Brittany to collect these songs, he found no manuscripts proving their ancient origin, and the collection, written in Paris, reflects an idealized vision of Breton culture. The text expresses a nostalgia for Brittany, mixed with liberal Catholic values, in opposition to material progress, while celebrating rurality and charity. It also includes themes of revolt and Celtic identity, in line with Enlightenment ideas, escaping royalist exclusivism. (Source: Eddy Noblet. Head of collections, Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève. "Le Barzaz-Breiz, chants populaires de la Bretagne", BNF Gallica website, article dated December 10, 2020). A very fine copy in contemporary binding. Spines faded. Some rubbing and spotting, corners dulled. Some light foxing, not serious.