BEAUMARCHAIS (Pierre-Augustin Caron de). La Folle journée, ou le Mariage de Figaro. Paris, Ruault, 1785. In-8, marbled calf, smooth spine decorated, red edges (period binding). First edition of Beaumarchais' masterpiece. The play, composed in 1778, was not performed until 27 April 1784, after several years of censorship. It is considered a harbinger of the French Revolution. Danton went so far as to say: "Figaro has killed the nobility". The volume is enhanced by the "Malapeau suite", comprising five out-of-text figures engraved after Saint-Quentin's drawings by Malapeau (4) and Roi (1). Rosine's throat is uncovered on the last plate, whereas it is covered by a kerchief in the "suite de Liénard". A copy printed on strong paper, with the asterisk in the signatures and the error at "trosième" in the running title on p. 109. From the library of René Rouzaud (1905-1976), famous lyricist, sung notably by Édith Piaf, with ex-libris La Goualante. Freckles and a few stains, small repair to the margin of the false title, tear to the corner of f. H4, jaws discreetly restored. Cohen, 124 - Tchemerzine, I, 491 - Le Petit, 568 - En français dans le texte, n°178 - PMM, n°230.