Les oeuvres de Molière

Tome Premier, Tome Second

by Jean-Baptiste Poquelin Molière

In French, two volumes.  Berlin:  Robert Roger, 1700 

Hardback is overall in VERY GOOD- condition.

• Smooth calf covers have gilt borders with acorns. 
• Boards show some smudges, aging, dings, scuffing, exposure, edgewear.  Corners are bumped, worn, with exposed board.  See photos.
• Spine has gilt text and partitions and is darkened and cracked with chipped ends.  See photos.
• Binding is secure. 
• Pastedowns and feps have some staining. 
• Frontispiece, a portrait of Molière, faces the engraved title page.
• Owner's inscription on half-title page, Volume 1.
• Illustrations are bright and clear.  
• Interior is gently age-toned, exhibits scattered light foxing.  
• Inside pages are free of writing and intentional marks.
• PS2025.0625

1031 pages plus plates. 3 5/8 x 6 inches

Volumes I and II of this first edition of Molière's comedic work.  Contemporary smooth calf, ruled in gilt with acorn ornaments.  Condition overall is Very Good Minus due to age and exposure to the boards.  The text block is Very Good indeed, with crisp black text and illustrated plates announcing each title.  

Published in Berlin in 1700 by the Francophone printer Robert Roger, with the collaboration of Arnaud du Sarrat, whose name appears on the engraved (second) title page.  Du Sarrat was a bookseller, bookbinder and publisher known primarily for his activity in Berlin, where he took over the business of Robert Roger in late 1702.  The Prussian court welcomed French Huguenot printers, and German and Dutch cities became centers for the book trade and publishing in the early 18th century.

Each play has its own title page and engraved illustration.  Contents of Tome Premier:  Le Dépit Amoureux, L'Etourdi, Les Précieuses Ridicules, Le Cocu Imaginaire, Les Fâcheux, L'Ecole des Maris, L'Ecole des Femmes, La Critique de l'Ecole des Femmes.  Contents of Tome Second:  Les Plaisirs de l'Isle Enchantée, Le Mariage Forcé, L'Amour Médecin, Le Misantrope, Le Festin de Pierre, Le Médecin malgré lui, Le Sicilien, Amphitryon.

A rather interesting provenance to this work.  Inscribed on the half-title page of Volume 1:  "Wallace Esq., Fetherstone (sic) Castle."  Very possibly this is James Wallace (1729-1783), an English barrister, MP, and Attorney General.  In 1779 he purchased Featherstone Castle, located on the River South Tyne in Northumberland, from the Featherstonehaugh family.  His son and heir Thomas Wallace (1st Baron Wallace) made various alterations to the castle in the early 19th century.

This edition, published at Berlin by Robert Roger in 1700, brought together sixteen of Molière's comedies.  The original title pages were retained, with the result that publication dates prior to 1700 appear on some of the interior title pages.

Please see photos. More photos available upon request.

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