Lot 25
  • 25

Molière, Jean-Baptiste Poquelin de

Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • paper
L'Escole des Femmes. Paris: Estienne Loyson, 1663

12mo  (6 x 3 1/4 in.; 152 x 82 mm). Woodcut title vignette, initials and headpieces; lacking frontispiece, a side-note shaved, a few nearly invisible mends in blank portion of last leaf, correction of the name of a character in a contemporary hand in ink on page 47. Red morocco, triple-fillet border, spine richly gilt, dentelles, edges gilt, multi-color silk placeholder, by Capé; slight wear to extremities.

Provenance

Purchased from Lardanchet, cat. 45 (1951), item 969

Literature

Rothschild II, 1187; Tchemerzine VIII, 306

Condition

lacking frontispiece, a side-note shaved, a few nearly invisible mends in blank portion of last leaf. Red morocco, triple-fillet border, spine richly gilt, dentelles, edges gilt, multi-color silk placeholder, by Capé; slight wear to extremities. correction of the name of a character in a contemporary hand in ink on page 47.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

First edition, first issue with page numbers 73-74 repeated and the final page number "93". One of Molière's finest comedies, first staged at the Palais Royal on 26 December 1662. The play is the story of a man so intimidated by women that he resolves to marry his young, naïve ward and proceeds to make clumsy advances to this purpose. The play caused some public outcry but established the author as a bold playwright ready to confront controversial issues.