Oeuvres Choisies de Beaumarchais

Paris: Menard et Desenne, Fils, 1818. First Thus . Leather Bound. Very Good/No jacket - as issued. 14 x 9 cms (5.5 x 3.5"). PUBLISHING DETAILS: First edition thus of selected works by Beaumarchais, in 4 leather-bound volumes and published by Menard et Desenne, Fils of Paris in 1818. 238, 379, 317 & 315 pages. Size: 14 x 9 cms (5.5" x 3.5"). WEIGHT: 735g (1.6 pounds). CONDITION: I would rate these as very good, commensurate with age. The full leather bindings are worn and a lttle friable, but clean and sound overall (see photos). The bindings are tight and secure throughout. The text and illustrations are evenly age-toned, but clean and free from foxing. The endpapers and page block edges are marbled and there are no labels or inscriptions. Overall, an attractive little set of early Beaumarchais volumes at an affordable price. THE WORKS: Included are: Notice Historique sur Beaumarchais; Fragment d'un Voyage en Espagne; Portrait de Gazetier Marin; Les Deux Amis; Eugenie; Le Barbier de Saville; Le Marriage de Figaro; La Mere Coupable; Tarare; Poesies Diverses. Born a provincial watchmaker's son, Beaumarchais rose in French society and became influential in the court of Louis XV as an inventor and music teacher. He made a number of important business and social contacts, played various roles as a diplomat and spy, and had earned a considerable fortune before a series of costly court battles jeopardized his reputation. An early French supporter of American independence, Beaumarchais lobbied the French government on behalf of the American rebels during the American War of Independence. Beaumarchais oversaw covert aid from the French and Spanish governments to supply arms and financial assistance to the rebels in the years before France's formal entry into the war in 1778. He later struggled to recover money he had personally invested in the scheme. Beaumarchais was also a participant in the early stages of the French Revolution. He is probably best known, however, for his theatrical works, especially the three Figaro plays. (Source: Wikipedia.)