Rare 18th Century 10 Volume Collection Antique Full Leather Book Works of Pierre Corneille French

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A stunning and complete 10-volume set of the works of Pierre Corneille (1606–1684), one of the most celebrated dramatists of … Read more A stunning and complete 10-volume set of the works of Pierre Corneille (1606–1684), one of the most celebrated dramatists of 17th-century France, dated 1758. Written in French and titled Oeuvres de P. Corneille, this collection showcases the brilliance of the playwright often hailed as the “founder of French tragedy.”

Corneille’s plays, including masterpieces such as Le Cid, Horace, and Cinna, helped shape the classical tradition of French theater, influencing not only his contemporaries but also the development of European drama. His works are marked by noble themes, complex moral struggles, and a deep exploration of honor, duty, and human passion. Alongside Molière and Racine, Corneille is regarded as one of the three great dramatists of France’s Grand Siècle.

These volumes are bound in rich red full leather with exquisite gold gilt details. The spines display intricate floral gilt tooling with hand-cut leather title labels, wonderfully imperfect and individual to the set—true examples of fine 18th-century bookbinding craftsmanship. Each book is finished with gold gilt page edges, adding further refinement.

Remarkably well-preserved for being nearly 300 years old, the set shows only the lightest signs of handling. Each volume measures 5.75 inches high, 3.5 inches deep, and 1 inch wide. Good antique condition, tight bindings with light age-related wear. Please review the photos for further condition assessment.

A collector’s dream—rare to find in such complete condition, these volumes offer both literary significance and stunning display quality. A true time capsule of French literature and Enlightenment-era bookmaking. See less