Books

French playwright Edmond Rostand (1868-1918) was a neo-Romantic in an age discovering realism. His "Cyrano," based upon a real-life figure of the 16th Century, was first performed in 1897. Immensely popular, it has had constant theatrical revivals and has inspired several motion pictures. English versions, by different translators (Hall, Guillemand) came out immediately. This is a Very Good (Plus) to Near Fine copy of the First Edition with the translation done by Howard Thayer Kingsbury This is the version "Accepted and Played" by the great actor-manager Richard Mansfield (1857-1907) in his 1898 production at the Garden Theatre in New York. A scarce title, particularly so when in collectible condition. Red cloth binding with silver lettering and fleuer-de-lis decorations on the front cover and spine. Clean text; 241 pages, with a frontis portrait of Mansfield made up to play Cyrano. There is a penciled signature on the FFEP. The spine has faded to a sort of pink (unfortunately common when sun encounters red ink), but the silver is still bright. This is the only condition issue; a lovely book. Size: 12mo - over 6�" - 7�" tall.

Cyrano de Bergerac is a play written in 1897 by Edmond Rostand. Although there was a real Cyrano de Bergerac, the play is a fictionalized account of his life and incorporates larger-than-life elements. It explores themes of inner versus outer beauty, love, and heroism.