[COLLÉ (Charles)].Théâtre de société, ou recueil De différen - Lot 17

[COLLÉ (Charles)].Théâtre de société, ou recueil De différentes Pieces, tant en Vers qu'en Prose, qui peuvent se jouer sur un Théâtre de société.La Haye, Paris : P. F. Gueffier, 1768. - 2 volumes in-8, 200 x 129. Red morocco, triple gilded fillet and gilded fleuron on the corners of the covers, ornate ribbed spine, inner gilded roulette, gilded edges (period binding).Collective edition, partly original, of this collection of the most accomplished plays by playwright and chansonnier Charles Collé (1709-1783) for the Théâtre de société. This term refers to a form of amateur theater practiced in the private residences of the aristocracy, where it served both as entertainment and a marker of social status. Very popular in France in the early 18th century, it subsequently spread throughout Europe. The first volume is a dummy collection of plays that appeared separately, each with its own title and pagination, under a general title. It contains: Le Rossignol, ou le mariage secret, a one-act vaudeville comedy (1764). - La Veuve, a one-act comedy (1764). - Le Bouquet de Thalie, prologue En Prose & en Vers (1768). - La Partie de chasse de Henri IV, comedy En trois Actes & en Prose (1768, original in 1766) - Le Galant escroc, comedy En un Acte & en Prose ; précédée des Adieux de la parade (1767). - Tanzaï et Neadarné, Tragi-comédie, En un Acte, en Vers. Précédée de la Lecture, Prologue en Prose (1768). The second volume has continuous pagination and includes, after a general title page: L'Espérance. Prologue, in vaudeville and prose (with special title page addressed to Pierre Gosse in La Haye). - Joconde, opéra-comique in two acts, vaudeville and prose. - Nicaise, comedy in two acts and prose. - La Vérité dans le vin, ou les désagrémens de la galanterie, comedy in one act and prose. - Madame Prologue, prologue in prose and vaudeville, followed by a proverb-comedy. - Cocatrix, amphigouristic tragedy. In five scenes. - La Tête à perruque, ou le Bailli, short dramatic tale, In one short Act. - Le Jaloux honteux, comedy by M. Du Fresny, In five Acts, & in Prose, reduced to three. A precious copy bound in period red morocco, from the library of Michel-Jean, comte de Borch (1751-1810). This Polish-born, French-educated general, naturalist, poet, playwright and traveler was the author of scientific works and literary translations. His bookplate, affixed to the first volume, reads: "Ex bibliotheca Warclanensi comt: de Borch. A few rare brown spots, otherwise a very well preserved copy. Some leaves bound in the wrong order in the first volume, but this one is complete. Provenance: Michel-Jean, comte de Borch, with bookplate.