[Théâtre — D’Hannetaire — Voltaire]. - Recueil De Quatre Ouvrages Sur L’art Dramatique Et Les Spectacles, - 1761-1797

[Theatre — D’Hannetaire — Voltaire].
Collection Of Four Works On The Dramatic Art And The Shows,
1761–1797.
A Septavo (in-8), old brown half-calf binding, smooth spine bearing a handwritten label detailing the four titles, paper boards, tinted edges.
D’Hannetaire [Jean-Nicolas Servandoni]. Observations on the art of the actor, and on other matters concerning this profession in general.
No place, at the expense of a typography society, 1774. Second edition, corrected and enlarged with theatrical anecdotes and new observations. XVI, 348 pp. according to bibliographic collation. Practical treatise intended for young actors and actresses, containing a contribution from the Prince of Ligne.
— Voltaire. Appeal to all the nations of Europe, from the judgments of an English writer; or Manifest on the subject of the honors of the Pavilion between the Theatres of London & Paris.
No place, 1761.
111 pp., red and black title.
Polemic on French and English theatres, notably Shakespeare and Hamlet.
— [Anonymous]. The Spy of the Boulevard of the Temple.
London, 1783. 92 pp. Satirical chronicle of the directors, actors and street performers of the boulevard theatres; note "Chapter One" in the title partially affected by a cut.
— [Anonymous]. The Death of the Opéra-Comique, a piece elegy-satiric-comic-tragic, for laughter and for tears.
Paris, Michel, Thermidor Year V [July 1797].
A title leaf and 13 pp.
Verse satire on the closure of the Rue Favart theatre and its financial difficulties.
Interesting thematic collection, pairing theory of acting, the Franco-English quarrel and pamphlets on the backstage of performances. The same ancient signature of ownership repeated on the titles, not identified.
Binding rubbed and worn, corners worn; some stains and foxing, more pronounced in the last piece. References for d’Hannetaire: Soleinne, V, 618; Vercruysse, 29.