Le roi s’amuse
Paris, Renduel, 1832.
1 vol. (145 x 235 mm) of 4 leaves (works, half-title, frontispiece, title), xxiii (preface) and 183 pp. Tan morocco, spine ribbed, gilt title, date gilt at foot, edges gilt on the rough, inner lace, original wrappers preserved (binding signed Chambolle-Duru).
First edition, first issue, without statement.
Title-frontispiece decorated with a woodcut vignette by Tony Johannot.
Title-frontispiece decorated with a woodcut vignette by Tony Johannot.
Le Roi s’amuse was printed in 2,000 copies. The play, performed on 22 November 1832 and banned immediately afterward, was staged only once. Hugo was informed the day after the premiere by Jouslin de la Salle, director of the Théâtre-Français: “It is half past ten and I have just received the order to suspend performances of Le Roi s’amuse. Mr. Taylor has communicated this order to me on behalf of the minister.” The play would later inspire Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Rigoletto.
A very fine copy, bound by Chambolle-Duru, with its wrappers preserved. From the library of Claude Jolly Bavoillot (engraved bookplate, signed by Giacomelli).
Carteret, I, 404, “a rare and highly sought-after piece”; Clouzot, 146.
#27917
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