Théophile Marion DUMERSAN

Second edition by Garnier in a new expanded format, after the first by Delloye in 1843, in 125 installments of 4 leaves comprising a notice, the score and 4 recto-verso pages of steel engravings (extraordinary compositions framing the song text), in addition to three frontispieces. Illustrations by Trimollet, Daubigny, Meissonnier... The first edition by Delloye contained only 84 installments and songs. Printed on heavy laid paper.
Half dark green morocco binding with corners signed Niedrée at foot. Spine with raised bands ornately decorated in grotesque style with stylized wavelets. Top edges gilt. Thin split to upper joint at head of volume 1 and at foot of volume 3. 2 corners of...

First edition.
This edition is often mistakenly confused with the Garnier edition Chants et chansons populaires de la France (in one volume and in several), yet it is rigorously different both in illustration and content. It is illustrated with 48 steel-engraved plates printed in bistre after Gavarni, Travies... and numerous wood engravings.
Half brown shagreen. Spine with false raised bands decorated with thick and thin compartments. Wine-colored percaline boards. Edges gilt. Boards discolored in places (borders). Joints of volume 1 rubbed in places. Tissue guards browned. Occasionally some foxing in margins or around tissue guards. Overall quite fresh and clean.
The two...

First edition.
Autograph inscription from one of the authors on the front cover.
Marginal notes for the distribution of roles and one manuscript correction in the text.
Some minor foxing as expected, slight corner loss to front cover.
Rare.

First edition.
Rare autograph inscription by Mersan on the first cover.
Manuscript notes in the margins regarding the cast distribution, a slight angular tear on the first cover.
Rare.