Antique French Books • Molière • Emile Testard • Paris • 1888-1896

Oeuvres de Molière — 16-Volume Illustrated Partial Set

Paris: Emile Testard, 1888-1896. Sixteen surviving large-quarto volumes from the original 32-volume illustrated edition.

Antique French illustrated partial set: 16 surviving large-quarto volumes from Emile Testard's Paris edition of Molière's Oeuvres, published between 1888 and 1896. The complete edition was originally issued in 32 volumes; this listing is for the remaining 16 volumes only (lost shipment).

The volumes are preserved in their original printed paper wrappers and housed together in four protective portfolio folders. Many leaves remain unopened or partly unopened, with deckle edges preserved. The group includes engraved illustrations after Jacques Leman and Maurice Leloir, including plates, vignettes, borders, headpieces, and decorative elements.

Two volumes are confirmed on Japon paper: Le Misanthrope and Le Medecin Malgre Lui. Please review the photos carefully for paper, limitation pages, wrappers, illustrations, and condition.

Important Note

This is a partial set only. The complete Testard Molière edition comprised 32 volumes. The present listing includes 16 surviving volumes from that edition, sold as an antiquarian French illustrated book lot.

Volumes Included

No. 12, Le Mariage Force, 1888; No. 13, Les Plaisirs de l'Isle Enchantee, 1888; No. 14, Dom Juan ou le Festin de Pierre, 1889; No. 15, L'Amour Medecin, 1889; No. 16, Le Misanthrope, 1889, two paper states, including Japon; No. 17, Le Medecin Malgre Lui, 1890, two paper states, including Japon; No. 18, Melicerte, 1890; No. 19, Le Sicilien ou l'Amour Peintre, 1890; No. 20, L'Imposteur, 1891; No. 21, Amphitryon, 1891; No. 29, Les Fourberies de Scapin, 1896; No. 30, Les Femmes Savantes, 1896; No. 31, Le Malade Imaginaire, 1896; No. 32, La Comtesse d'Escarbagnas, 1896.

Illustration

Illustrated after Jacques Leman and Maurice Leloir. The illustrations give the volumes a strong theatrical character, with period costume, stage-like compositions, decorative borders, and engraved embellishment throughout.

Condition

Very good overall for a fragile wrappered antiquarian partial set. Original printed wrappers show expected toning, rubbing, edge wear, small chips or tears, occasional creasing, and some spine weakness or splitting. Interiors are generally clean and bright with scattered foxing and light age spotting; some leaves may be loose. Many leaves remain unopened or partly unopened, with deckle edges preserved. Four portfolio folders show rubbing and wear but remain functional for storage.

Sold as shown. Please review all photos carefully, as they form part of the description.

A decorative and collectible antique French illustrated Molière group: 16 surviving large-quarto volumes from the Emile Testard edition, in original wrappers, with illustrations after Leman and Leloir, offered as a partial set only.