Jean-Baptiste Poquelin or Molière (1622 - 1673) –French playwright and actor

Paris: Thierry, Barbin, Trabouillet, 1682

Published 9 years after Molière’s death

8 volumes with engraved frontispieces and numerous woodcut initials

Later calf decorated in gilt at spine

Duodecimo; 165 mm x 950 mm

This eight volume collection of Molière’s “Les Oeuvres,” was published by Thierry, Barbin and Trabouillet in Paris a mere nine years after author’s death. The volumes feature engraved frontispieces and numerous woodcut initials.

The extremities have moderate rubbing, though they are internally fresh and clean. Overall, these volumes are in very good condition in duodecimo.

Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (Molière) (Paris, France 1622-1673 Paris, France)

Molière was born Jean-Baptiste Poquelin to wealthy Parisian parents. He began his career as an actor, and gained great respect for his ability to make highly expressive faces on stage. He spent three years as an itinerant actor, during which time he refined his comedic sensibilities. His plays were highly successful, bringing him command performances before the King at the Louvre, and time at the Palais-Royal. His troupe was granted a royal pension and the honorable title of ‘Troupe du Roi’. During the production of his final play in 1673, “The Imaginary Invalid,” Molière suffered a coughing fit and a hemorrhage while on stage. He finished the performance but died a few hours later.