A collection of fifteen engravings, including the Title of 1667 and other works in the definitive state by Jacque Leman and Edmond Hedouin.

The collection is provided with complete provenance dating to its issue (including copy of original issuance certificate), the collection title page, publisher"s title page, a list of engravings and certificate of authenticity.

Synopsis:
Alceste is one of those candid souls who believe that the truth should be spoken in season and out. He will make no concessions to ordinary courtesy and denounces the insincerity of contemporary society upon every possible occasion. His friend, Philinte, tries to make him see that honesty does not require him to go out of his way to offend and hurt people. He even points out that a few well-spoken words in the right place might go far toward bringing a favorable decision in the lawsuit Alceste has pending in the courts. To this Alceste has but one answer. If his suit cannot win through its own merits, he will renounce a society which sanctions such injustice and leave Paris to live the life of a hermit.

When the young courtier, Oronte, begs his opinion on some verses of which Oronte is the author, Alceste's rude and needless criticism adds another to the not inconsiderable list of his enemies and brings upon him the threat of a second lawsuit.

Now Alceste has the misfortune to love Céliméne, a comely and popular young woman with little regard for the truth. Her main interest is to surround herself with admirers, each of whom she endeavors to persuade that he is the favored one. While Alceste is attempting to persuade Céliméne openly to acknowledge their engagement, a pretended friend of Céliméne's, Arsinoé by name, under pretense of the frankness that Alceste admires, exposes Céliméne's falseness. Her other admirers drop away like flies. Not so Alceste. His lawsuit has finally been lost, and now he asks Céliméne to prove her love by sharing the hermit's existence to which he plans to retire.

Céliméne is willing to take Alceste's name in marriage to make up for the injury which she admits she has done the unquestioned sincerity of his regard. She confesses, however, that she is unwilling to leave Paris for she has no mind to forego the pleasures of youth and beauty for anyone's sake. This confession does for Alceste what Arsinoé's exposure fails to accomplish. The scales drop from his eyes and he sees Céliméne for the flirt that she is.

é?liante, Céliméne's cousin, had herself been in love with Alceste but since he announces a total lack of interest in women thenceforward, she contents herself with the love of his friend, Philinte. The play closes with this couple's stated determination to change Alceste's outlook on life.

Reference:
This document was originally published in The Drama: Its History, Literature and Influence on Civilization, vol. 7. ed. Alfred Bates. London: Historical Publishing Company, 1906.

The Misanthrope: Title - On a large tablet is engraved the title of the play. On each side of it are figures of women, terminating in scrolls, and holding branches of laurel. Above are the arms of Moliére, and a crown made of two laurel branches. Laurel, symbolic of the fame of the poet and of his work, is the principal of the general decoration and of the details.

The Misanthrope: Title of 1667 - Jacque Leman, as delineator, translated from the French, the original work of 1667.

The Misanthrope: Dramatis Personé - Jacque Leman, as delineator, translated from the French, the original work of 1667, a listing of the cast of characters.

The MIsanthrope: Act I - The title for the first act, which shows two angels - male and female - extending branches of laurel across to one another, while two nubian angels look on. The artist's signature (in the plate) appears within the foundation of the two bases, on which the mature angels are supported.

The Misanthrope: Act I, Scene II - Philinte, Alceste and Oronte: In the centre Alceste, in a gray suit trimmed with green ribbons and with his hat on his head, is seated in an arm-chair, prepared to listen to Oronte. The latter, standing, his hat on, and his cane lightly held in his right hand, commences to read, with a great deal of self-satisfaction, his sonnet, "On Hope." To the left stands Philinte, hat in hand, closely watching the countenance of Oronte.

The Misanthrope: Act I, Scene III - Philinte and Oronte standing, listening intently to Alceste, seated in a chair in the great hall. "You are making fun of me; I shall not leave you."

The Misanthrope: Act II, Scene V - Climine, Eliante, Alceste, Philnte, Acaste, Clitandre and Basque on a stage representing the great hall. Tapestry covers the wall, while two angels look on within the arch-ways bordering the scene.

The Misanthrope: Act II, Scene VI - Eliante, Philinte, Alceste, Celimine, Acaste, Clitandre, Basque and the guard are in the scene within the frame. A large scenic tapestry covers the wall behind, while two satyrs, bent over with laurel branches, top the ornamentation above the frame.

The Misanthrope: Act III, Scene V - Celimene and Arsinoe. Angels holding laurel branches, standing inside the arch-ways look upon the scene. Celemine: "Shall we sit down?" Arsinoe: "It is not necessary.:

The Misanthrope: Act III, Scene VII - Alceste and Arsinoe are holding hands as they walk through the door-way. Arsinoe: "Only have the kindness to escort me as far as my house."

The Misanthrope: Act IV, Scene III - Alceste and Celimene. The scene is in the hallway with two angels standing in supporting arch-ways holding laurel branches. As he shows her a latter, Alceste says: "Cast your eyes here and recognize your writing."

The Misanthrope: Act IV, Scene III - Alceste and Celimene. Alceste (furiously) "You do not blush on beholding this writing!"

The Misanthrope: Act IV, Scene IV - Celimene, Alceste and Dubois. The frame is supported by an angel, blowingtwo trumpets, standing in an arch-way, which supports the frame of the scene. Alceste (speaking to Dubois): "Hand it over then!"

The Misanthrope: Act V, Scene II - Oronte, Alceste and Celimene. Nubile angels arrying branches of laurel, look upon the scene from the outer arch-ways. Celimene: "Good heavens! How out of place is this persistence."

The Misanthrope: Act V, Scene VII - Fini - Eliante, Philinte and Alceste. Alceste: "Deceived on all sides, overwhelmed with injustice,I will fly from an abyss, where vice is triumphant."