N.p.n.d. [1652].
12mo [134 x 80 mm] of 120 pp. Bound in red straight-grained morocco, triple gilt fillet around the covers, ribbed spine decorated with gilt fleurons, green morocco doublures richly decorated with central fleurons, gilt edges. Binding signed by Gruël.
Rare “counterfeit edition included in the 1652 collection. We have found a copy at Mr Ambroise Firmin Didot’s” (Picot, Bibliographie cornélienne, n°320, describing the present copy).
“This clandestine edition was probably destroyed because its copies are of utmost rarity. One must admit, here lies the main credit of the book […] Counterfeits made in French provinces don’t display the same interest; they are most of the time rather crude. It is nonetheless interesting to study their text. Perhaps we could find, along mistakes one could not impute to Corneille, variations taken from lost first editions.” Picot, n°379.
“A copy at Ambroise Firmin Didot sold for 20 fr. in red morocco binding with green morocco doublures” (Gruel), Giraud, 1855 (n°1637) ». (Picot).
With this comedy performed in 1644, Corneille opened up a path to true character comedy.
Precious copy described by Picot and preserved in its signed red morocco binding with green morocco doublures.
Provenances: libraries of A. Firmin-Didot and la Germonière.
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