BALZAC (Honoré de). Vautrin. Drama in five acts, in prose. P - Lot 2

BALZAC (Honoré de). Vautrin. Drama in five acts, in prose. Performed at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin, March 14, 1840. Paris, Delloye, Tresse [Imprimerie de Mme Vve Dondey-Dupré], 1840. In-8, (4) ff. 247 pp. half green basane, smooth spine decorated (period binding). Second edition published the same year as the original and, like the original, without the preface which could not be included due to Balzac's illness. The publisher offered to provide the preface at a later date, in exchange for the preliminary notice included in the book. Joints and spine partially split, headpieces and corners worn, small holes on first cover, light scattered foxing. This play, which featured the character of Père Goriot and Illusions perdues, partly inspired by Vidocq, was banned the day after its premiere: Frédérick Lemaître, who played the title role, had had the idea of disguising himself to resemble Vidocq, but was found to bear a strong resemblance to King Louis-Philippe, which led to the play being banned (Vicaire I, 214).