VENDU
6 volumes 8vo (194 x 121 mm) of 2 un.ll. (half title and title) VIII pp., 520 pp. , 1 frontispiece, 4 plates for the volume I ; 576 pp. , 6 plates, 2 un.ll. (half title and title), for the volume II ; 558 pp. , 6 plates, 2 un.ll. (half title and title) for the volume III ; 560 pp. , 6 plates, 2 un.ll. (half title and title) for the volume IV ; 776 pp. , 5 plates, 2 un.ll. (half title and title) for the volume V ; 704 pp. , 6 plates, 2 un.ll. (half title and title) for the volume VI. Porphyry calf, gilt roll framing the covers, flat spine gilt, title and volume pieces in black Morocco ; marbled edges (contemporary binding).
1 in stock
Cohen 716–719, Brunet 1798–1799
A reprint of the famous edition compiled by Antoine Bret, enriched with a supplement to Voltaire’s Vie de Molière. Complete copy, comprising all 34 plates.
This edition is remarkable both for the relevance of Monsieur Bret’s notes and observations on each play, and for the quality of its illustrations, particularly the famous portrait of Molière engraved by Cathelin on the frontispiece.
Antoine Bret (1717–1792) was a writer and playwright whose edition of Molière’s complete works is regarded as one of the finest ever published.
The six volumes present Molière’s complete plays in chronological order of composition: Volume I brings together L’Étourdi, Le Dépit amoureux, Les Précieuses Ridicules and Sganarelle ou le Cocu Imaginaire; Volume II, Dom Garcie de Navarre, L’École des Maris, Les Fâcheux, L’École des Femmes, La Critique de l’École des Femmes and L’Impromptu de Versailles; Volume III, La Princesse d’Élide, Le Mariage Forcé, Dom Juan ou le Festin de Pierre, L’Amour Médecin and Le Misanthrope; Volume IV: Le Médecin Malgré Lui, Mélicerte, Le Sicilien ou l’Amour Peintre, Le Tartuffe and Amphitryon. Volume V contains L’Avare, George Dandin, Monsieur de Pourceaugnac, Les Amants Magnifiques and Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme; Volume VI, Les Fourberies de Scapin, Psyché, Les Femmes Savantes, La Comtesse d’Escarbagnas and Le Malade Imaginaire, as well as La Gloire du Val-de-Grâce.
The illustrations, which are among the finest ever dedicated to Molière, comprise the famous portrait engraved by Cathelin after Mignard as the frontispiece to the first volume, six title medallions and 33 plates by Moreau Le Jeune. The title pages are printed in alternating red and black.
A fine copy preserved in its contemporary porphyry calf binding, headpiece of volume III spine skuffed.
Provenance: Abbé Bonafous, wet stamp on all title pages and embossed stamp on the half-title page of volume III; André Chrétien, engraved bookplate pasted to the inside board of volume I.
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