[COLLÉ (Charles)].Théâtre de société, ou recueil De différentes Pieces, tant en Vers qu'en Prose, qui peuvent se jouer sur un Théâtre de société.La Haye, Paris: P. F. Gueffier, 1768. - 2 volumes in-8, 200 x 129. Red morocco, triple gilt fillet and gilt fleuron on the corners of the covers, ornate ribbed spine, inner gilt roulette, gilt edges (period binding).Collective edition, partly original, of this collection of the most accomplished plays by the playwright and chansonnier Charles Collé (1709-1783) for the Théâtre de société. This term refers to a form of amateur theatre practised in the private residences of the aristocracy, where it served as both entertainment and a marker of social status. Very popular in France in the early 18th century, it subsequently spread throughout Europe. The first volume is a factitious collection that brings together, under a general title, plays that appeared separately, each with its own title and pagination. It contains: Le Rossignol, ou le mariage secret, a one-act comedy and vaudeville (1764). - La Veuve, comedy in one act (1764). - Le Bouquet de Thalie, prologue En Prose & en Vers (1768). - La Partie de chasse de Henri IV, comedy En trois Actes & en Prose (1768, original in 1766) - Le Galant escroc, comedy En un Acte & en Prose ; précédée des Adieux de la parade (1767). - Tanzaï et Neadarné, Tragi-comédie, En un Acte, en Vers. Preceded by the Reading, Prologue in Prose (1768). The second volume is of continuous pagination and includes, after a general title page: L'Espérance. Prologue, in vaudeville and prose (with a special title page addressed to Pierre Gosse in The Hague). - Joconde, opéra-comique in two acts, in vaudeville and prose. - Nicaise, comedy in two acts and prose. - La Vérité dans le vin, ou les désagrémens de la galanterie, comedy in one act and prose. - Madame Prologue, prologue in prose and vaudeville, followed by a proverb-comedy. - Cocatrix, amphigouristic tragedy. In five Scenes. - La Tête à perruque, ou le Bailli, a short dramatic tale, in one short Act. - Le Jaloux honteux, comedy by M. Du Fresny, In five Acts, & in Prose, reduced to three. A precious copy bound in period red morocco, from the library of Michel-Jean, comte de Borch (1751-1810). This general, naturalist, poet, playwright and traveller of Polish origin, educated in the French manner, was the author of scientific works and literary translations. His bookplate, affixed to the first volume, reads: "Ex bibliotheca Warclanensi comt: de Borch. A few rare spots of brown spotting, otherwise a very well preserved copy. Some leaves bound in the wrong order in the first volume but this one is complete. Provenance: Michel-Jean, comte de Borch, with ex-libris.