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Description
MÉRIMÉE (Prosper).
Theatre of Clara Gazul, a Spanish actress.
Paris: A. Sautelet et Cie, 1825. — 8vo, 204 x 127: (2 ff.), ix, 337 pp., (1 f.). Olive half-calf, plain spine with decoration, mottled edges (contemporary binding).
A sought-after first edition of Prosper Mérimée’s first work, published anonymously.
This is a collection of six comedies, introduced by a preface signed by Joseph L’Estrange, the author’s pseudonym. It comprises: *Les Espagnols en Danemarck* — *Une femme est un diable, ou la Tentation de saint Antoine* — *L’Amour africain* — *Inès Mendo, ou le Préjugé vaincu* — *Le Ciel et l’Enfer*.
This work occupies an important place in the history of theatre. Keen to revitalise French theatre, Mérimée sought to apply to his plays the new theory of modern theatre that Stendhal had notably set out in *Racine and Shakespeare* (1823). These plays were not, however, intended to be performed.
Among the plays is *African Love*, described as a ‘comedy’ but telling a tragic story. In Córdoba, the wealthy Moor Hadji Nouman has purchased the beautiful slave girl Mojana. His friend Zeïn, a Bedouin from the desert, fell in love with the same woman at the slave market and sold all his possessions to buy her, but arrived too late. He comes to demand money from Nouman, only to discover that it was his friend who had purchased the slave. He demands that she be handed over to him, invoking the oath that Nouman swore after Zeïn saved his life in the desert. Nouman hesitates, then suggests that Mojana choose between them. She throws herself into Nouman’s arms.
Zeïn, desperate and furious, draws his dagger. The two friends fight and kill one another. As he dies, Nouman also stabs Mojana, holding her responsible for his friend’s death.
But the dénouement turns out to be a play within a play: the servant announces, ‘Dinner is ready and the play is over’, the actors rise to their feet, and Mojana addresses the audience to conclude, presenting *L’Amour africain* as a ‘comedy, or, if you will, a tragedy’, and excusing the Bedouin’s ungentlemanly behaviour on account of the heat of the Sahara.
A copy bound in its original binding, one of the few bearing the words ‘Théâtre de Clara Gazul’ on the half-title page, most of which bear ‘Collection des théâtres étrangers’. Does not include the extremely rare portrait of ‘Clara Gazul’, of which only around fifty copies are believed to have been bound.
Spine faded, normal wear and tear. Corner missing from the last two leaves, without affecting the text. Brown marks on the endpapers. A few scattered foxing spots.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale
Claude Mozis Library – Black Africa and the African diaspora
Auction location
Auction time
10/21/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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