Donneau de Visé, Jean.

Zelinde Comedie, Ov La Veritable Critiqve De L’Escole Des Femmes.

Paris, C. Barbin 1663.

12mo (142 x 82 mm.). 161 [r. 143], [1]p.

Gilt-ruled crushed maroon morocco (Reymann, T. Leclere dor.), richly gilt spine, all edges gilt.

            First Edition: THE FIRST SALVO IN THE “COMIC WAR” LAUNCHED AGAINST MOLIÈRE, his ideas, characters and methods.
           In the dispute over the nature of theatrical comedy, THIS PLAY ATTACKS TWO PLAYS: Molière’s L’École des femmes (debut 26 December 1662) and his one-act stage defense of it, La Critique de l’École des femmes (debut 1 June 1663). In their lace shop, Zélinde and her employer pillory Molière. A fine copy.
¶Lancaster, History of French Dramatic Literature III: 7 & 256-9; Guibert, Bibliographie des œuvres de Molière 795,26; Langheim, De Visé, sein Leben und…Dramen 14-22; Cioranescu 25887.

Item #11304

Price: $4,200.00