[COMEDY. 17th century. THEATER CONTROVERSY]. - Lot 27

[COMEDY. 17th century. THEATER CONTROVERSY]. [Four rare titles for and against comedy]. SET of 3 titles. 1694–1696. 3 pamphlets and one bound volume, in-12 (in good overall condition). - [CHILLIAT, Michel]. Les Souffleurs, a comedy. Paris, Widow of Ch. Coignard, C. Cellier, 1694. In-12, (3)-143 pp. and 1 pp. of errata, with generous margins. 19th-century brown morocco, decorated ribbed spine, gilded panels, triple gilded fillet framing the covers, gilded garland on the inside, gilt edges (jaws and corners slightly rubbed but a fine copy). A rare first edition of this comedy that mocks the alchemists, who were then called “souffleurs.” Only one entry in the CCFr. Bound here in morocco leather signed “Brany,” a Parisian bookbinder from the last third of the 19th century. A fine copy of the text, virtually as published. -[GERBAIS, Jean, attributed to]. Letter from a Doctor of the Sorbonne to a Person of Distinction on the Subject of Comedy. Paris: Claude Mazuel, 1694. In-12, Unbound, sewn quires. A short polemical treatise attempting to demonstrate the spiritual and moral dangers of comedy... -[LA GRANGE, Ch. de]. Refutation of a text in favor of comedy printed at the beginning of the plays by Sieur Boursault. Paris, 1694. In-12, unbound, sewn quires. -Edict issued by His Excellency to the Bishop of Arras in his diocese against comedy. Paris, P. Ballard, 1696. In-12, unbound, sewn quires. Attempt by Guy de Sève de Rochechouart, then Bishop of Arras, to ban comedy within his jurisdiction.