Marcel Pagnol / Dubout - Topaze - 1952

A charming, numbered edition illustrated by the formidable Dubout of this dramatic comedy that tells the rise and corruption of a naive and idealistic schoolteacher, Topaze, whose integrity and candor initially render him ridiculous in the eyes of the world but eventually are exploited by more cynical characters -

The play depicts the gradual transformation of Topaze, who, after being dismissed for his moral intransigence, is drawn into business by unscrupulous politicians and financiers, and gradually discovers the mechanisms of compromise, ambition, and power -

The work illustrates the central theme of Pagnol: the confrontation between innocence and corruption, the purity of principles and the harshness of social realities, while offering an ironic critique of French society in the mid-20th century.

Dubout's illustrations, celebrated for their graphic humor and expressive caricature, emphasize the contrast between the naïveté of the main character and the grotesque and cynical world that surrounds him, giving the edition a visual dimension that reinforces the satire -

Marcel Pagnol / Dubout - Topaze. Play in four acts - 1952 - Henri Kaeser -
265 Pages.

Very good condition of the binding, the volume bound in half-basane morocco with edition corners, marbled boards, slight signs of wear, gilt head, spine with raised bands, title and author's name gilded on a leather label.

Very good interior condition, the title page printed in green and black, the work enriched with beautiful color engravings hors texte, including a frontispiece after the illustrations by Dubout. This edition was specially printed for Éditions du Grand-Chêne in Lausanne, in a thousand numbered copies from 1 to 1000; this one is No. 973, with marbled endpapers in very good condition.

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