Megaleh Temirin, a satirical parody on Chassidut and its leaders, [by Joseph Perl]. Vienna: Anton Strauss, 1819. First edition.
The book is comprised of 151 fictitious letters exchanged between Chassidim trying to prevent the distribution of an anti-Chassidic book. Megaleh Temirin ridicules the Chassidic doctrine, the Chassidic leaders and the faith of the masses in the tzaddikim. It primarily imitates the style of Shivchei HaBaal Shem Tov and Sipurei Maasiyot.
The author, Joseph Perl of Tarnopol, Galicia (1773-1839), was a radical maskil, one of the leaders of Galician Haskalah. He dedicated his life to his battle against the Chassidim of Galicia, printing anti-Chassidic satires in Hebrew and in Yiddish, denouncing Chassidim to the authorities and harassing them.

[2], 55 leaves. Approx. 26 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Open tears to title page and first leaves, slightly affecting several words of text, repaired with paper. Worming. New binding.