?Les Souvenirs et les regrets du vieil amateur dramatique, ou Lettres d' un oncle à son neveu sur l'ancien Théâtre français

First edition illustrated with 36 hand-painted color plates with gold highlights
Half black morocco binding with long grain from the late 19th century. Spine with raised bands richly decorated with 3 stamps and Restoration-style ornaments. One corner rubbed. Paper uncut.
Very handsome copy, fresh
Henry Houssaye bookplate.
Remarkable illustration of theatrical costumes. At the head of the work are placed full-length portraits of the "greatest poet and greatest actor of the era," Voltaire and Lekain, shown rehearsing a scene from Mahomet. All illustrations are by Foech. "Engraved after gouaches of the smallest proportion, they are nonetheless of the most singular resemblance. Wirsker, author of these gouaches, reproduced with the most spirited exactitude the physiognomy, bearing, and character of his originals, in the roles where they excelled, and in the situations where they excited the most enthusiasm. My engravings are a faithful copy." Letter from Foech.