Two Librettos For Revolutionary Plays From 1793 And 1797
Two play scripts, “Martyr,” 1793 & 1797
The Death of Louis XVI & The Death of Marie Antoinette of Austria
A precious and rare collection consisting of two historical and political tragedies, bound or stapled together at the time, printed clandestinely or in small circles during the French Revolution. These texts are masterpieces of royalist literature and the cult of the “Martyr King,” published immediately after the executions.
Copies in their original state, mounted on embroidered fabric. Interior pages show foxing on the text and old peripheral water stains (brown halo-like marks). The margins are wide, indicating that the copies were not trimmed by the bookbinder. The illustrations are well-defined.
The Death of Louis XVI & The Death of Marie Antoinette of Austria
A precious and rare collection consisting of two historical and political tragedies, bound or stapled together at the time, printed clandestinely or in small circles during the French Revolution. These texts are masterpieces of royalist literature and the cult of the “Martyr King,” published immediately after the executions.
- Booklet I: The Death of Louis XVI
- Full title: The Death of Louis XVI, a tragedy in three acts; followed by his will.
- Publication: In Paris, at the Novelty Booksellers, 1793.
- Authors: Étienne Aignan and Jules-Julien-Gabriel Berthevin.
- Illustrations: Illustrated on the frontispiece with a magnificent portrait of Louis XVI in a circular medallion, engraved in profile and surmounted by regalia. The title page is adorned with a heraldic vignette featuring fleurs-de-lis. The text includes, at the end, the complete transcription of the King’s famous will, written at the Temple.
- Booklet II: The Death of Marie-Antoinette of Austria
- Full title: The Death of Marie-Antoinette of Austria, Queen of France, a tragedy in five acts and in verse, following The Death of Louis XVI.
- Publication: End of the Revolutionary period (c. 1797).
- Illustrations: A minimalist title page typical of the Directoire period. It features a deeply moving bust portrait of Queen Marie Antoinette wearing a bonnet, engraved in profile, with the fateful date of her execution at the bottom: “October 16, 1793.”
Copies in their original state, mounted on embroidered fabric. Interior pages show foxing on the text and old peripheral water stains (brown halo-like marks). The margins are wide, indicating that the copies were not trimmed by the bookbinder. The illustrations are well-defined.
280 €
Period: 18th century
Style: Louis 16th, Directory
Condition: Condition of use
Material: Paper
Reference (ID): 1845738
Availability: In stock
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