Quarante portraits en pied dessines d'apres nature par Al. Lacauchie et accompagnes d'autant de portraits litteraires. Tome Premier Second
1842rif. 29653Paris: Marchant 1842. Two volumes bound in one. Quarto. Full gilt-ruled dark green morocco with raised bands on spine in blindstamped compartments titling gilt inner dentelles gilt dark green endpapers with doublure pattern. Each volume consists of 3 preliminary leaves plus 40 full-page plates and 162 pp. of text for a total of 80 fine lithographic portraits of dancers singers and actors in role portraits finely-printed on china paper and laid down to mounts. With biographical essays on each subject including: Dancers Perrot Elssler Taglioni Thillon Leroux and Grisi Singers Deburau Duprez Fargueil Aine Levasseur Rubini Persiani Prevost Damoreau Lafont Lablache Grisi Tamburini Klein singer and actor Stolz Thillon Chollet Roger Mario and Dorus-Gras Actors Rachel M. Melingue Plessy Mme. Melingue Achard Doze Odry Lepeintre Jeune Dupont Boutin Flore Georges Joanny Albert Vertpre Monrose Bocage Firmin Saint-Ernest Mars Menjaud Sauvage Bardou Beauvallet Alcide-Tousez Mme. Volnys Ferville Mr. Volnys Guillemin Gauthier Arnal Clarisse Chilly Moessard Brunet Albert Provost Brohan Anais Vernet Desmousseaux Dorval Regnier Mante Julienne Lepeintre Aine Dejazet Numa Samson Sainville Ligier Colon Leplus Raucourt Bouffe and Lemaitre The biographical articles are each 4 or 6 pages in length; the lithographs are quite finely-drawn. A third volume was planned and at least 18 plates appeared but the volume was never completed. Binding slightly worn rubbed and bumped. Minor wear; some foxing to mounts heavier to some leaves; some leaves slightly loose including title to Book I; some signatures loose; some browning to Book II. Most plates to Book I with tissue guards. The illustrative plates are in very good condition overall. A significant contribution to the iconography of the period offering important evidence of contemporary performers and theatrical costume. Marchant unknown books
