Lacauchie, Alexandre.
Galerie des artistes dramatiques de Paris. Quarante portraits en pied, dessinés d'après nature par Al. Lacauchie, et accompagnés d'autant de portraits littéraires.
Paris: Marchant, 1841.
A collection of 40 stunning full-page lithographic portraits (by Alexandre Lacauchie) of Parisian actors in the roles that made them famous, accompanied by biographical notes.
There is very little visual record of the French stage of this period, and this work is particularly important because the artist drew directly from life.
The forty lithographs are printed on chine appliqué, fine china paper laid down on thicker wove paper. The text is printed on fine wove paper. A second volume was published later, and a third volume was begun but never completed.
Small folio. Bound in contemporary Spanish calf with gilt spine and morocco label. Light wear to binding but very attractive and structurally solid. Internally fine and bright but for a few specks of foxing. Plates clean and brilliant.
An excellent copy of a rare book.
