Léon HENNIQUE. Autograph manuscript signed, Amour, [1890]; [ - Lot 438

Léon HENNIQUE. Autograph manuscript signed, Amour, [1890]; [5]-108pages large in-8 (23x16cm), written on front, in leaves, in mauve silk cardboard folder, purple velvet spine, title and author's name embroidered on upper cover. Complete manuscript of this historical drama. Amour, a "drama in three parts", premiered at the Odéon, directed by Porel, on March 6, 1890, with Candé and Calmettes in the leading male roles, and Antonia Laurent and Marie Samary as the heroines. It was a flop. The play was published by Tresse & Stock. Papus considered the play a marvelous esoteric drama. The action takes place "in Brescia, 1512, - then in France, at the Château de Ligny, in the following years". The manuscript, cleaned up in brown ink on sheets of buff paper, was used for printing; it shows erasures and corrections, with a few passages crossed out; a collet at the head of the first part modifies the description of the setting. Each part is paginated separately: 37, 44 and 27 pages. At the beginning, 5 unnumbered leaves give the title, dedication ("To my friend Porel, in testimony of deep gratitude L.H."), date of creation, works "From the same author", list of "Characters" with the names of the actors. The embroidered silk shirt was made by the author's daughter, Nicolette Hennique (1882-1956).