Leipzig: Verlag von Viet & Comp, 1897. Scarce true first edition. Von veit German edition. Original pale blue paper covers publisher's adverts to rear. A little darkening and edgewear, with slight nicking to the spine. Internally clean but a little darkened. Many pages uncut. Aristlotle's theory of catharsis, expounded in the poetics, claims that the emotions of pity and fear are aroused by theatrical performances, and through this eliminated from the psyche of the audiences. (He obviously hadn't seen Peaky Blinders!) This thesis questions elements of Aristotle's theory. Text in German. 128 pages. 210 by 140mm (8¼ by 5½ inches).

, Édition originale rare. Von veit édition allemande. Couverture originale en papier bleu pâle, avec la publicité de l'éditeur au dos. Un peu de noircissement et d'usure des bords, avec une légère entaille au dos. L'intérieur est propre mais un peu assombri. De nombreuses pages ne sont pas coupées. La théorie de la catharsis d'Aristote, exposée dans la Poétique, affirme que les émotions de pitié et de peur sont suscitées par les représentations théâtrales et, de ce fait, éliminées de la psyché des spectateurs. (Il n'avait manifestement pas vu Peaky Blinders !) Cette thèse remet en question certains éléments de la théorie d'Aristote. Texte en allemand. 128 pages. 210 x 140 mm.

London: J. Redington, 1860. Nice colour portrait of the actor James Holloway as King Richard III in the William Shakespeare play of the same name. Hand coloured. Published between 1850 and 1876, based on the publisher J. Redington's trading dates. There is a copy in Folger Shakespeare Library. OCLC Number / Unique Identifier: 422598834. The print is very clean and colours bright. Blank to verso. Perfect for framing. 220 x 175 mm (8¾ x 7 inches).

. Beau portrait en couleurs de l'acteur James Holloway dans le rôle du roi Richard III dans la pièce de William Shakespeare du même nom. Coloré à la main. Publié entre 1850 et 1876, d'après les dates de vente de l'éditeur J. Redington. Un exemplaire se trouve à la Folger Shakespeare Library. Numéro OCLC / Identificateur unique : 422598834. L'impression est très propre et les couleurs sont vives. Le verso est vierge. Parfait pour l'encadrement. 220 x 175 mm

London: The Ballantyne Press / Hacon & Ricketts / John Lane, 1901. First edition. A lovely copy of this pseudonymous work. One of 290 copies (Edition limited to 290 unnumbered copies, including 10 on vellum, we offer one of the 280 on Arnold's handmade paper). Green buckram spine, with paper covered boards. The paper shows leaves blowing in the wind. Slight bumping to the head and tail of the spine. The paper label is a little rubbed and darkened, but still legible. Externally very good overall. Inside, the book is an immaculate copy, with fractional foxing to the initial pages, and a touch of darkening to the front and rear end papers, otherwise spotless. Opening with a nice ornamented border in black figuring on top Janus, on left the medal of Comodus, and the Amazon and her moon-shaped shield, and below the Nemean lion's skin and Herakles' mace. Illustrations (including the paper boards) are by Charles Ricketts. Michael Field was a pseudonym used for the poetry and verse drama of the English authors Katherine Harris Bradley and her niece and ward Edith Emma Cooper. Although they had intended to remain anonymous, their identity became well known. Although published second, this work is intended as the first in the "Roman Trilogy" which recounts the downfall of Commodus. Ref. Watry B31. - Ransom, Vale Press, 31. - Tomkinson, Vale Press, 31. 88 / LXXXVII pages. (numbered in the book in numerals). 240 by 155mm (9½ by 6 inches).

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London: Lawrence & Bullen, 1893. Limited and numbered - #622 of 750 copies printed. Hardback two volume set. Maroon cloth boards with gilt stamped titles to spine. No markings. Good original state. Volume I has frontispiece (portrait) with tissue guard. Portrait has a few spots of foxing. Tissue guard has offsetting. Many gathers uncut. Volume I: lxxviii, 397 pp. Volume II: 410 pp. 230 x 155 mm (9 x 6 inches).

Sir John Vanbrugh was an English architect, perhaps best known as the designer of both Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard. However, it is with his work as a dramatist that he offended many sections of 18th century society, not only with the sexual explicitness of his plays, but also with their messages in defence of a woman's rights within marriage.

Amsterdam: C. Weddepohl, 1845. First edition. Original hardback brown cloth covered boards, with a decorative gilt-blocked lyre to both front and back boards. All edges gilt. Each of the nine colour plates with its own tissue guard. Corners of boards rubbed and slight sun fading to boards. Hinge slightly weak but holding. (This has been reinforced with archival tape to the inside rear hinge). Text in Dutch. 350 x 270 mm (13¾ x 10¾ inches). Rare publication of theater decorations by the Dutch artist François-Joseph PfeifferJr. (Liège 1778-1835). Illustrated with 9 lithograph plates (including portrait) with facing tissue guards. With accompanying letter-press text within red ornamental borders. Contains a biography by Gerit van Ernst Koning (1794-1853), and verse descriptions by J. van Lennep (1802-1868). It also includes a short list of theater scenes created by Pfeiffer.

New York: Morris Gest, 1925. Programme / booklet about the Moscow Art Theatre. The 34 page pamphlet is a collection of essays and articles about the Studio. This was the first Appearance Outside Russia of the Famous Lyric Branch of the World's Foremost Stage. The front cover is chipped to the edges, and is split to the rear - so is partly detached. The central leaf has come away from the binding, but present. Still holding together although delicate. Contents include the story of the theatre, a profile of Vladimir Nemirovitch-Dantchenko, a synopses of the repertory, a double page illustration of Lysistrata. An article by Yury Sakhnovsky on Lyric Drama, the synthetic theatre. Another article entitled: Back to Merimee for Bizet's true Carmen. Also, a piece on Rachmaninoff's Aleko, and a who's who in the Musical Theatre. Illustrations by Andrei Hudiakoff. 305 x 230 mm (12 x 9 inches).

Paris: François Bernouard, 1927. First Edition. This copy is one of 200 copies on Vergé pur fil Vincent Montgolfier that were unnumbered and reserved for friends of the author. Signed in dedication by the author to the half title. The dedication is to Bernouard's friend the actor and painter Pierre de Guingand, and reads: 'Pierre de Guingand 1902 - 1927. Amite toujours frère'. Colour paperback covers illustrated by Robert Bonfils. A little age toned, and with a slight lean to the spine, but remarkably good condition. 108 pages. 185 x 125 mm (7¼ x 5 inches). Première édition. Cet exemplaire fait partie des 200 exemplaires sur Vergé pur fil Vincent Montgolfier qui étaient non numérotés et réservés aux amis de l'auteur. Signée en dédicace de l'auteur au faux titre. La dédicace est à l'ami de Bernouard, l'acteur et peintre Pierre de Guingand, et se lit comme suit : "Pierre de Guingand 1902 - 1927. Amite toujours frère". Couvertures brochées en couleurs illustrées par Robert Bonfils. Un peu vieilli, et avec une légère inclinaison à la colonne vertébrale, mais remarquablement bon état. 108 pages. 185 x 125 mm.

Paris: Programme for one of the performances of l'École Nationale du Cirque in 1978. Featured artists include: contortionist Maria Negrea, acrobat Yves Oger, and of course Annie Fratellini herself. In the late 1970's, the French government had stepped in to try to help the ailing circus industry, and Annie Fratellini and Pierre Étaix had opened the l'École Nationale du Cirque. Booklet covers and contents are in a very good condition. 12 pages. 215 x 150 mm (8½ x 6 inches). Programme d'une des représentations de l'École Nationale du Cirque en 1978. Parmi les artistes à l'affiche : la contorsionniste Maria Negrea, l'acrobate Yves Oger et bien sûr Annie Fratellini elle-même. À la fin des années 1970, le gouvernement français était intervenu pour essayer d'aider l'industrie du cirque en difficulté, et Annie Fratellini et Pierre Étaix avaient ouvert l'École Nationale du Cirque. Les couvertures et le contenu des livrets sont en très bon état. 12 pages. 215 x 150mm

Paris: Gaumont, 1981. Printed brochure, (limited to 2,000 copies) includes a story board for the film (released 1964), a poem, a caricature of Jean-Claude Carriere drawn by Étaix, some transcripts of letters written by Étaix to be featured in another publication entitled 'Dactylographismes', and an advertisement for the forthcoming book 'Le carton à chapeaux'. This brochure contains includes a signed dedication from Étaix. Pierre Étaix was a French clown, comedian and filmmaker, who made a series of short and feature-length films, many of which were co-written by the screenwriter Jean-Claude Carrière. Covers are a little grubby. There is a small closed tear to the tail of the spine. Internally the brochure is spotless. 52 pages. 290 x 200 mm (11½ x 7¾ inches). Brochure imprimée, (limitée à 2 000 exemplaires) comprenant un story-board pour le film (sorti en 1964), un poème, une caricature de Jean-Claude Carrière dessinée par Étaix, quelques transcriptions de lettres écrites par Étaix qui seront présentées dans une autre publication intitulée ' Dactylographismes', et une publicité pour le prochain livre 'Le carton à chapeaux'. Cette brochure contient une dédicace signée d'Étaix. Pierre Étaix était un clown, comédien et cinéaste français, qui a réalisé une série de courts et longs métrages, dont beaucoup ont été co-écrits par le scénariste Jean-Claude Carrière. Les couvertures sont un peu sales. Il y a une petite déchirure fermée à la queue de la colonne vertébrale. En interne, la brochure est impeccable. 52 pages. 290 x 200 mm