PAGNOL, Marcel. Topaze. Pièce en quatre actes Représentée pour la première fois, à Paris, le mercredi 9 octobre 1928, sur la scène des « Variétés ». Paris, Fasquelle, 1930.
8vo [220 x 157 mm] of 284 pp., (4). Bound in contemporary green full shagreen, gilt filet on the border of the covers, fleurons at corners, spine ribbed and uniformly faded, printed wrappers and spine bound in.
First edition of this famous text by Pagnol, one of 75 copies printed on Imperial Japan paper.
Topaze was printed in a run of 1000 copies, including 75 on imperial Japan paper.
« At the beginning of the play, Topaze is a teacher of moral in a private establishment, the boarding school « Muche », whose director exploits him shamefully. He practises with competence, dedication to duty and scruple, hoping to receive the decoration awarded to teachers. As he refused to change the marks of a dunce, son of a baroness, he is fired and he is then hired by Régis Castel-Bénac, local councillor who traffics in the entire commune’s business. The latter and his mistress need an honest and little known man to take the apparent management of their business firm, that is to say in order to serve as a figurehead. Topaze doesn’t take a long time learning the dishonest character of the transactions in which he is associated, but under Suzy’s influence, whose charm he is sensitive to, he changes little by little his perspective and becomes a hard and wise businessman. He ousts Castel-Bénac not only from the business firm that they are using as a cover, but also from Suzy’s heart. »
A precious copy on imperial Japan paper especially printed for Marcelle Vioux. This one has been offered by Pagnol to his colleague with this dedication signed by the author on the half-title: « A Madame Marcelle Vioux, hommage respectueux d’un confrère et d’un admirateur. Marcel Pagnol ».
Important first editions of Pagnol printed on large paper and dedicated are very sought-after.
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