A collection of sixteen engravings, including one of twelve color plates, the Title of 1669 and other works in the definitive state by Maurice Leloir 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.

The first three acts of TARTUFFE were presented at Versailles, May 12, 1664. The play was first produced in its present form, February 5, 1669, in Paris.

Synopsis:
Orgon, a well-to-do Parisian householder, has been so deceived by the hypocritical cant of a poor beggar named Tartuffe, that he has made the latter an honored guest in his household. In no time at all Tartuffe has made himself practically master of the house and the doings of its occupants. Orgon, far from being incensed, ascribes this to Tartuffe's unselfish interest in his, Orgon's, welfare. He is on the point, in fact, of repudiating his promise to young Valére that he shall marry Orgon's daughter, Marianne, in order that her hand and her dower may go to Tartuffe and attach him permanently to the family.

I an effort to save her step-daughter's romance, Elmire, Orgon's wife, meets Tartuffe to beg him to refuse such a marriage. Tartuffe, believing they are alone, proposes a clandestine love affair to the wife of his benefactor. Orgon's son, Damis, steps forth from a closet where he has been hiding during the interview, just as Orgon enters the room. Damis denounces Tartuffe for the scoundrel he is. Orgon, however, refuses to believe either his son, Damis, or his wife, Elmire. Instead he disinherits his son and drives him from the house. Not satisfied with these amends to Tartuffe's wounded "innocence," he forthwith makes Tartuffe a deed of gift for the house itself. He declares, moreover, that the marriage with Marianne shall take place at once.

Elmire, in desperation, asks Orgon if he should behold Tartuffe's treachery with his own eyes and hear it with his own ears if he would believe. Upon Orgon's incredulous assent, she conceals him under the table and leads Tartuffe on to a second avowal of illicit love. When Orgon in righteous indignation orders him from the house, Tartuffe reminds his benefactor that the house is no longer his. In fact, the bailiff presently arrives to oust Orgon and his family. At the same time Valére comes with word that Tartuffe has reported Orgon to the King for harboring property belonging to a political fugitive and that even now Tartuffe and an officer are on their way to arrest him.

As Orgon is about to flee in Valére's carriage, Tartuffe and the officer arrive. The hypocrite has at last overplayed his hand, however. Upon his appearance before the King, His Majesty had recognized him as a criminal with a long record and many aliases. So now Tartuffe is arrested in Orgon's stead. His Majesty graciously forgives Orgon his indiscretion on account of his recent conspicuous bravery in military service. His property is restored to him and Valére and Marianne are free to marry with Orgon's blessing.

Tartuffe or The Hypocrite: Act III, Scene II - Color plate from the suite, painted by Maurice Leloir, with signature in the lower right corner of the image and in the border, with additional engraving contributions by etcher, Géry-Bichard, whose name is also signed in the plate.

Tartuffe or The Hypocrite: Title - The title page image form the play, with delineation by Maurice Leloir. As with most images in the collection, an exceptional embossing fraames the images from behind.

Tartuffe or The Hypocrite: Title of 1669 - Plate struck form the original title etching of 1668, with delineation in 1895 by Maurice Leloir.

Tartuffe or The Hypocrite: Dramatis Personé - Maurice Leloir, as delineator, translates from the French, a summation of the cast of characters.

Tartuffe or The Hypocrite: Act I, Scene II - Orgon, Cleante and Dorine are depicted on stage, with Orgon saying: "Poor fellow!" The image is offered with a full page of dialog from the play.

Tartuffe or The Hypocrite: Act I, Scene VI - Cleante (walking away from Orgon): "But to the point. Valére has your promise: Will you keep it or not?" Orgon (tersely): "Farewell!" With the artist's monogram signed in the plate.

Tartuffe or The Hypocrite: Act II, Scene II - Marianne, Orgon and Dorina (entering softly and keeping behind Orgon, without being seen). Orgon (speaking to Marianne of Dorina): "I must give her a backhander!"

Tartuffe or The Hypocrite: Act II, Scene IV - Valere, Marianne and Dorine (speaking to the ladies): "Go you this way: and you, the other."

Tartuffe or The Hypocrite: Act III, Scene VI - Orgon and Tartuffe are upon their knees. Orgon speaks of Tartuffe to Damis (his son): "Behold, his goodness, scoundrel!"

Tartuffe or The Hypocrite: Act III, Scene II - Painting by Maurice Leloir, with signature in the lower right corner of the image and in the border, with additional engraving contributions by etcher, Géry-Bichard, whose name is also signed in the plate.

Tartuffe or The Hypocrite: Act III, Scene VII - Tartuffe (speaking to Orgon): "The will of Heaven be done in all things."

Tartuffe or The Hypocrite: Act IV, Scene V - Orgon is hidden under the table, while the lecherous Tartuffe reaches out to Elmire, and says: "Satisfy my desires, and have no fear."

Tartuffe or The Hypocrite: Act IV, Scene VII - The Scene of the awakening of Orgon.

Tartuffe or The Hypocrite: Act IV, Scene VII - Elmire looks on, whole Tartuffe says to Orgon: "It is for you to get out!"

Tartuffe or The Hypocrite: Act V, Scene IV - Orgon (with his family behind him) speaks to M. Loyal: "I leave this house!", who responds with: "Yes sir, if you please."

Tartuffe or The Hypocrite: Act V, Scene IV - Fini - With Tartuffe looking on, the police officer, speaking to Orgon (whose family looks on in shock): "Follow me directly to the prison, which is destined for your abode."