Britannicus

Rare first edition decorated with ornamental headpieces, letterheads and culs-de-lampe.

Posterior binding in full red morocco, Jansenist spine, gilt date at the foot, marbled endpapers, frame of gilt roll-tooling on the pastedown endpapers, all edges gilt.
A very beautiful copy of one of the most famous plays in the French repertoire. It was played for the first time on 13 December 1669 at the Hôtel de Bourgogne and received a mixed reception. At the head of this edition is a preface by the playwright responding to his critics: “Of all the works that I have given to the public, there is none
that attracted more applause and nor more critics that this one. [...] What is missed by the spectators may be noticed by the readers.”

“I embrace my rival, but only to strangle him.” (Néron, Acte IV, sc. 3)