A collection of twelve engravings, including including one of twelve color plates, the Title of 1667 and other works in the definitive state by Jacque Leman and color illustration by 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:
The Misanthrope did not need the aid of a good afterpiece, but when the great comedy was played for the twelfth time, The Doctor in Spite of Himself was added to the bill. In this piece, which is erroneously supposed to have gained a hearing for its predecessor, Moliére utilized fragments of his Fagotier and Médicin Volant, thus provoking a general laugh at the expense of the medical fraternity. Martine, the wife of an intelligent woodcutter, Sganarelle - personated by Moliére - meets two men in search of a doctor for Lucinde, who, in order to get rid of a lover favored by her father, the stupid Geronte, but not of herself, has feigned dumbness.

In revenge for a little corporal chastisement to which she has been subjected by her husband, Martine at once recommends him to their notice. He is, she says, a skilful doctor, but will not reveal the nature of his calling unless cudgelled into doing so. Her hint is acted upon; and Sganarelle, informed of the reason of the assault made upon him, avows himself what they suppose him to be. He is then carried off in triumph to Geronte's house. It must be admitted that he plays his part very well. He takes kindly to the conical hat and long gown peculiar to the faculty. He rakes up a large variety of medical phrases. He adorns his discourse with a sufficient quantity of incoherent Latin to impress those about him with a conviction that he is a very learned man. Nay, it is a question with him whether he shall not remain a doctor all his life. "It is the best trade out," he tells us; "payment comes whether we kill or cure. No responsibility rests upon us; we may hack about as we please the stuff given us to work upon. If a patient dies, it is his own fault, never ours. Lastly, dead men, of all people the most discreet, tell no tales of the doctor who has sent them to their long account." His self-possession, too, seldom deserts him. Geronte having gently reminded him that, contrary to what he had said, the heart was on the left and the liver on the right side of the body, "Yes," is the reply, "that was formerly so; but nous avons changé tout cela" - this being the original of that popular phrase - "and we now adopt an entirely new method."

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 Physician in Spite of Himself: Title - In an opening in the forest is seen Sganarelle, seated on a log, with his woodcutter's axe at his feet, pressing his flask close to his side, holding it with his right hand and shielding it with his left. On each side of the frame is the bust of a nude woman, supported by a scroll. Each looks at the other, mockingly, and with eyes full of malice. As is quite appropriate, in a play where a woodcutter is the hero, the title is given upon boards suspended from above.

The Physician in Spite of Himself: Title of 1667 - The frame is composed of branches of oak lashed together and decorated with birds and branches of another tree, with long leaves. Above are the arms of Moliére, supported by two bundles of fagots, with a woodcutter's axe and an apothecary's syringe; back of all is a doctor's robe. A monkey is seated on each side; the one on the left has Sganarelle's flask, that on the right has the doctor's hat, into which he peers curiously.

The Physician in Spite of Himself: Dramatis Personé - The frame is formed of four trimmed oak saplings. Below, in a clearing in the forest, is Sganarelle, axe in hand, cutting fagots. In the background, on the right, is Martine, before her house, showing Valere, with his cane, and Lucas, with his club, her rogue of a husband, and explaining to them how it is necessary to deal with him in order to make him admit that he is a great physician: "....unless you take back each stick, and compel him, by dint of blows, to admit at last what he will conceal at first." (Act I, Scene V)>

The Physician in Spite of Himself: Act II, Scene IV - Color plate from the important work depicting scenes from the 1667 play by J.B.-P. Moliére. Edmond Hedouin's signature is in the plate, with additional engraving contributions by etcher, F. L. Kirkpatrick, whose name is signed in the plate.

The Physician in Spite of Himself: Act I - The scene represents a forest, with Sganarelle, Valere and Lucas. Sganarelle: "No; I tell you that I will do nothing of the kind, and that is for me to speak, and to be master."

The Physician in Spite of Himself: Act I, Scene VI - Sganarelle (to Valere, with Lucas looking on): "You carry this: I put my juleps in there."

The Physician in Spite of Himself: Act II, Scene IV - Jacqueline, Lucas and Sganarelle. Sganarelle: "I would like to be the fortunate little nursling to suck the milk of your good graces."

The Physician in Spite of Himself: Act II, Scene IV - [Scene in the House of Geronte]: In the foreground is Sganarelle, the woodcutter, dressed in the costume of a physician, saying: "I assure you that I am delighted that you should be united together. I congratulate her upon having such a husband as you; and I congratulate you upon having a wife so handsome, so discreet and so well shaped as she is."

The Physician in Spite of Himself: Act II, Scene VI - Depicted in the scene are, Lucinda, Sganarelle, Jacqueline, Geronte, Valere and Lucas.

The Physician in Spite of Himself: Act II, Scene IX - Leandre and Sganarelle, who says: "The patient shall either die or be yours." The artist's monogram is located to the left of the image.

The Physician in Spite of Himself: Act III, Scene VI - Lucinde, Leandre, Jacqueline, Geronte and Sganarelle. Lucinde says: "No; I am not at all likely to change my feelings."

The Physician in Spite of Himself: Act III, Scene IX - Fini - Geronte, Lucinde, Leandre, Lucas, Jacqueline, Sganarelle and Martine. Sganarelle is seen speaking to the members present: "But be prepared henceforth to behave with great respect toward a man of my consequence."