Molière & Honoré de Balzac, OEuvres complètes... Lot 190

Molière & Honoré de Balzac, OEuvres complètes de Molière, ornées de trente vignettes dessinées par [Achille] Devéria et gravées par Thompson. Paris, Urbain Canel, Baudouin frères, Delongchamps [et Balzac] (imprimerie de Rignoux,], 1826. In-8, [4]-IV-553-[1]p. Two-column printing, illustrated with a portrait of Molière on the title and 30 engraved bands at the head of each play. Urbain Canel edition from the Rignoux press, preceded by the unsigned Vie de Molière, written by Honoré de Balzac. In April 1825, Balzac signed two partnership contracts with publisher Urbain Canel for the publication of the complete works of La Fontaine and Molière. These compact editions, printed in the typeface "Mignonne" - present in the catalog of the type foundry run by Balzac in 1826-1828 - sold very poorly. Balzac fell victim to his inexperience and more or less delicate associates, and thus incurred his first debts. Beautiful contemporary binding, glazed red half-calf with small corners, richly decorated spine with 4 nerves, gilt and blind fleurons. Paper yellowed, a few pale scattered freckles. (Vicaire, V, 917; Carteret, III, 163; Lacroix, 406; Vicaire and Hanotaux, La Jeunesse de Balzac. Balzac Imprimeur, p. 336). A good copy.