ARNAULT (Antoine Vincent). - Lot 39

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 : Charles Froment, Neveu, 1829. - In-18, 170 x 106: frontispiece, VIII, 214 pp, (1 f.), 35 plates. Green glazed calf, double fillet framing and gilt names of playwrights in corners, and six of actors and actresses surmounted by a crown of stars on the boards, smooth spines decorated with theatrical symbols, interior gilt roulette, gilt edges (period binding). First edition of this collection of 33 letters in which 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 edition is illustrated with 36 color plates, "representing full-length, original miniatures, made from life" by Jean-Louis Fesch (1739-1778) and miniaturist Whirsker, the various actors and actresses of the Comédie-Française in this second half of the 18th century, "in the roles in which they excelled". A superb copy in contemporary talking binding, enriched with a handwritten bill praising the actor Fleury. Spine darkened with a few restored cracks.