"UNRIVALED PREEMINENCE AS AN AUTHOR OF SECULAR TRAGEDIES"

RACINE, Jean. Oeuvre Complètes de J. Racine avec les Notes de Tous les Commentateurs. Paris: Chez Lefèvre, 1820-21. Six volumes. Large octavo, contemporary three-quarter purple morocco gilt, raised bands, marbled boards and endpapers, top edges gilt. $1200.

Handsome set of the 17th-century dramatist’s complete works.

Considered one of the greatest dramatists of his day, along with Molière and Corneille, Racine "rose to unrivaled preeminence as an author of secular tragedies" (Hollier, 321). Known for the uniquely elegant alexandrine couplets he used in his plays, Racine grew to be greatly admired for his inimitable style. Without half title and title page in Volume III, without table of contents at the end of Volume VI. Text in French.

A near-fine, handsome set.