ARNAULT (Antoine Vincent). - Lot 56

ARNAULT (Antoine Vincent). Les Souvenirs et les regrets du vieil amateur dramatique ou lettres d'un oncle à son neveu sur l'ancien théâtre français. Paris: Librairie de Alphonse Leclere, 1861. - In-8, red half-maroquin with corners, gilt fillets, ribbed spine, gilt head, untrimmed (period binding). Second edition after that of 1829, of this collection of 33 letters in which the poet and playwright Antoine Vincent Arnault (1766-1834) offers a history of the Théâtre-Français from the 1760s to 1786. The letters are addressed to the greatest actors and actresses of this famous institution, including Bellecour, Lekain, Préville, Mademoiselle Clairon, Mademoiselle Dumesnil, Monvel, Madame Vestris, Dugazon and others. The illustration includes 49 color plates, "depicting the various actors and actresses of the Comédie-Française in the second half of the 18th century, "in the roles in which they excelled", based on original miniatures made from life" by Jean-Louis Fesch (1739-1778) and miniaturist Whirsker. A good copy from the library of actress Andrée Mégard (1866-1952), muse of the Redfem company and wife of Firmin Gémier. Provenance: Andrée Mégard, with bookplate.