1689 RACINE, Jean : Esther Tragedie Tiree de l'Escriture Sainte

RACINE, Jean : Esther Tragedie Tiree de l'Escriture Sainte

Paris: Claude Barbin, 1689

Second edition, issued the same year as the quarto edition. The present edition also appeared the same year as the first performance of the play, commissioned by Madame de Maintenon for the pensionnaires de Saint-Cyr.

First edition in 12mo (158 x 90 mm). Roman and some italic type. collation: ã6 ẽ2 A-G8,4 H1: 53 leaves (of 56: lacking H2-4 blanks). Engraved frontispiece, woodcut printer's ornaments.

Binding: Mid-19th century red crushed morocco by Charles Petit (successor to Alphonse Simier), elaborately gilt wide border, central rondel, surrounded by leafy tools, of double circles containing flowers between circles, rose on stem in centre, spine gilt with rose in compartments, gilt inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, gilt edges

Provenance: Caroline (1884-1932) and Hudson Poole (1878-1940), early-twentieth-century bookplate. 

Caroline Marie Boeing (later Poole) was a philanthropic socialite, sister of aviation pioneer William Boeing, and wife of Colonel John Hudson Poole, a philanthropist and WWI veteran. The couple, known for their interest in fine printing, commissioned John Henry Nash to print the "Au Revoir [Broadside]" in 1928, which features images of vintage trains and hybrids. Caroline Poole also donated materials and equipment to entertain soldiers during WWI and built a significant Native American art collection.

Acquisition: Purchased in 1985 from Bernard Rosenthal, San Francisco. references: Guibert 93, 2; Tchemerzine, V, 348; Répertoire du théâtre français imprimé 1600-1699, no. 8946 (this copy cited)

CONDITION
In very good condition throughout. The leather binding is very good with no damage. All contents present and pages good throughout. See all photographs provided. Obviously a well-cared for book by its previous owner(s).

(GC2)