โพงพาง" [Phong Phang] ลครพูดองก์เดียว [lakhon phut ong diao]

First edition of this one-act play. Rama VI (Vajiravudh, 1881-1925) was not only the successor to the celebrated Chulalongkorn (Rama V) on the Siamese throne in 1910; he was also a man of letters who composed numerous works of prose, poetry and drama.

Contemporary full dusky-pink glazed cloth, plain smooth spine, title blocked in gilt within a large architectural border on the upper board.

The author played a major role in the development of modern Thai literature, introducing Western-style theatre to Siamese audiences.

In addition to the thousands of original works he produced in a wide variety of genres, including short stories, novels and political essays, he translated and adapted into Siamese twenty-five plays by leading English and French dramatists, among them Shakespeare (Romeo and Juliet; The Merchant of Venice), Richard Sheridan, Molière (The Doctor in Spite of Himself), Tristan Bernard (L'Anglais tel qu'on le parle), Eugène Labiche and Georges Courteline.

Cf. Inthano (Theeraphong): L'Influence occidentale sur le développement du théâtre moderne siamois ; le cas du roi Vajirawudh, in: Inalco, Centre d'études et de recherches sur les littératures et oralités du monde (2013).

A rare and attractive copy.