Description

Third volume of the stereotype edition published by Crochard using Firmin Didot's process.
The volume includes three tragedies (Pyrrhus, Catalina, the Triumvirate) and several Academic speeches.

A copy of the great tragedienne Rachel Félix decorated on the first plate with her stage name, Mlle Rachel. 
A veritable theatrical relic, this volume was then carefully preserved by two tragédiennes from the Comédie Française. 

After Rachel's death on 3 January 1858, the work passed first into the hands of Marie-Léonide Charvin (1832-1891), whose stage name was chosen by Achille de Ricourt: "When you play tragedy, you're not called Chavin. There was Rachel; it's a beautiful biblical name. Well, you'll be called Hagar."
The volume, given to a certain Egloff, includes this first enclosure autograph signed    :

"to Mr Egloff this study book which belonged to our Great Rachel is a beautiful artistic souvenir that I am happy to offer you Agar de la Comédie française 1879".

Agar was, along with Rachel and Sarah Bernhardt, one of the most famous tragic actresses of the late 19th century. First noticed at the Théâtre de l'Odéon in the role of Phèdre by Racine and then in Horace by Corneille, Agnès de Méranie by François Ponsard and Medea by Ernest Legouvé, she made her first appearance on the Comédie-Française stage, again in the role of Phèdre, on 12 May 1863. The mixed success of subsequent plays forced her to leave this prestigious stage; she returned to the Odéon to play the role of Silvia alongside Sarah Bernhardt in Le Passantby her friend François Coppée. The triumph of the play again opened the doors to the Comédie Française, where on 6 June14 1869 she played the role of Émilie in Cinna by Corneille. Despite these successes, Agar was never made a member of the Comédie Française and was appointed a boarder again in 1878 and 1885.

The volume then passed into the hands of Jeanne Louise Deluermoz dite Jeanne Delvair (1877-1949) and carries this second autograph signed letter:

"I am delighted to pass it on to you with my affection, my dear Hélène.
Jeanne Delvair, honorary member of the Comédie Française 1936.

After winning a first prize in Tragedy at the Conservatoire, in Worms' class, she made her debut at the Comédie-Française in 1899 in the role of Hermione (Andromache). Her success in replacing Marthe Brandès, who was ill, at short notice, in Homeland! by Victorien Sardou, in 1901, gave her access to the greatest tragic roles. In 1910, Jeanne Delvair became the 349th member of the Comédie Française, where she acted in more than 25 productions until 1937.

A charming copy in its period binding, with a succession of prestigious sources.