Œuvres de Molière, Édition Spécialement pour les Magasins du Bon Marché, par A. Deslinières, Paris, 1896

An attractive late nineteenth-century edition of the works of Molière, based upon the celebrated illustrated edition of 1734 and reproducing the designs and decorative tailpieces of François Boucher, together with Charles-Antoine Coypel's portrait of the playwright. Published in Paris in 1896 as a special two-volume edition for the famous Bon Marché department store, the set combines the plays of one of France's greatest comic dramatists with the elegant Rococo illustration associated with the eighteenth-century edition. This copy also has an interesting provenance, having belonged to Charles William Thomson, with his dated 1896 ownership inscriptions and a number of his pencil annotations.

Œuvres de Molière, d'après l'édition de 1734. Illustrées des dessins et des culs-de-lampe de Boucher et du portrait de Molière par Coypel (Works of Molière, after the edition of 1734. Illustrated with drawings and tailpieces by Boucher, and with the portrait of Molière by Coypel). In two volumes.

Édition spécialement pour les Magasins du Bon Marché, par A. Deslinières. Paris, 1896 (Special edition for the Bon Marché department store, by A. Deslinières. Paris, 1896).

From the library of Charles William Thomson (1871-...), the distinguished Glasgow University graduate, Scottish educator and author of Scotland's Work and Worth (1909-10). Thomson was an exceptionally successful student at the University of Glasgow, winning fifteen University prizes across a notably broad range of subjects before graduating M.A. He subsequently pursued a career in education, serving as Rector of several Scottish schools. This volume formed part of Thomson's personal library and was acquired together with a substantial group of his books, including fourteen of his Glasgow University prize titles.

A good (minus) set of two hardbacks bound in contemporary quarter calf binding with striking shell-pattern marbled paper over boards. Spines with gilt black morocco title labels. Covers with wear and bumping, and spines rather faded and marked. With marbled endpapers. Charles Thomson's ownership inscription to a blank endpaper in each volume, both dated 1896. Inner hinges strained and cords visible, but all holding.

Text is clean with age-toned paper, and the occasional light spot. With some Thomson pencil annotations to margins. Also included is a single-sheet, one-page typescript synopsis of Molière's Le Mariage forcé, together with a two-page typescript synopsis of "Don Juan" [Dom Juan].

Text in French.

Vol. I: xxx + (1) advertisement + 490pp + (1) contents; 

Vol. II: 506pp + (1) contents. 

Dimensions: each volume approximately 192mm high x 147mm wide x 30mm deep.

Weight: Approximately 1320g (the set - unpacked).