RONSIN: Théâtre de M. Ronsin printed for the benefit of his - Lot 21

Lot n° 21
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RONSIN: Théâtre de M. Ronsin printed for the benefit of his - Lot 21
RONSIN: Théâtre de M. Ronsin printed for the benefit of his mother-in-law. Cailleau, 1786. In-8 contemporary cherry half-calf, smooth spine decorated with gilt romantic irons (circa 1820 binding, small light marginal wet spots). Rare first edition of this first publication by the author, comprising 4 tragedies, Sédecias, Isabelle de Valois, Hécube et Polixène and Le Fils cru ingrat. They were apparently never performed. On the curious fact that the work was printed for the benefit of the author's mother-in-law, historian Henri d'Alméras says he believes "the fact to be absolutely unique in the annals of theater". A note against Ronsin by Boudin des Ârdennes states: "Rabaut Saint-Étienne took a keen interest in this work, and it was he and Pieyre l'ainé who recommended it to the newspapers, particularly that of Nîmes. A fair number of Protestants in the town subscribed, and the proceeds went into the hands of Pieyre, himself a Protestant. [...] In recent years, Protestants have adopted from the English the practice of making subscriptions in favor of those they wish to support. Charles-Philippe Ronsin (1751 - guillotined March 24, 1794), playwright and preceptor turned general of the French Revolution, staged several patriotic plays in the capital's theaters between 1790 and 1792. In April 1792, he moved to the Théâtre-Français section, where he frequented the Cordeliers club. An opponent of moderatism, he defended the Hébertistes' call for insurrection before the Cordeliers, before retracting his statement. Suspected of plotting to replace the revolutionary government with a military dictatorship, he was guillotined with the latter. A fine, uncut copy. Dupont de St Ouën library.
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