Oeuvres de Moliere

Paris: Paulin, 1835. Fine Binding. Very Good Indeed. 11" by 7.5". Tony Johannot. A copiously illustrated copy of the works of French Restoration dramatist and comic writer, Molière, in an unusual fine binding. Rebound in crushed morocco over chamfered wooden boards, with elaborate gilt and blind stamped decoration, and attractive marbled endpapers and text block. Featuring a note on Molière's life and work by the notable literary critic of French literature, Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve. Copiously illustrated throughout by the French engraver, illustrator and painter Antoine Johannot, or, as he is more commonly known, Tony Johannot. Johannot was born into a family of notable illustrators, artist and engravers (his father was greatly involved in the development of lithography in France), yet he quickly distinguished himself through the elegance, diversity, and the lively character of his works. Johannot produced works for many notable writers such as Balzac, George Sand, Victor Hugo, and, as seen in this set, Molière. Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, known by his stage name Molière was a French playwright, actor and poet, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the French language and universal literature. His extensive output of works range in style from comedies, to farces, to tragicomedies, to comédie-ballets and more, many of which are included within these two volumes. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed at the Comédie-Française more often than those of any other playwright today. Complete in two volumes. Bound in a crushed morocco over wooden boards. Imperceptibly rebacked with the boards and spine preserved. Externally, patches of rubbing to the boards and spines, more severe to rear board of volume I and front board of volume II, resulting in small section of loss to leather of rear board volume II. Hinges reinforced to both volumes. Internally firmly bound. Pages bright and clean, slightly age toned to edges with the odd faint handling mark. The odd spot to the fore edge of the occasional page, heavier to first and last few pages. Light spotting to frontispiece, volume I. Ink stamp to title pages. Very Good Indeed