Almanach des Spectacles

Very rare complete set of all 8 volumes of this review of French theatre in the years 1818-1824. All eight years of publication complete with 8 handcolored engraved title pages and over 90 finely handcolored engraved portraits of actors, actresses, opera singers, ballet dancers and comedians in costumes of their famous roles. "Very interesting almanac, attributed to Charles Malo or [Francois-Adolphe] Loeve-Weimars, giving a summary of Parisian and provincial theaters, reviews on the plays and their performers, notes on debuts, repertoires, etc." (Grand-Carteret, Les almanachs français.) Includes portraits of sopranos Mme. Gavaudan and Angelica Catalini, tenors Jean-Blaise Martin and Simon Cheard, ballet dancers Emilie Bigottini, Genevieve Gosselin, Antoine Paul and Mlle. Clotilde, child actress Leontine Fay, actors Francois-Joseph Talma and Charles-Gabriel Potier, and many more. Odd volumes turn up occasionally but it is very rare to find the complete set of this intriguing anecdotal overview of Parisian theatre from the first quarter of the 19th century. Condition: All volumes in their pastel card slipcases, paper bindings holding, some spots of foxing to a few plates but overall very good with tissue guards. Complete with all engravings and calendars at end. Charles Malo (1790-1871) was a French author, editor and translator, whose books included a series of gift books for women illustrated by Pancrace Bessa, almanacs, city guides, battlefield guides, etc.