[GRIMOD DE LA REYNIERE (Alexandre-Balthazar)]. Jules COUËT. Three letters from Grimod De La Reynière (1778). Paris, Noel Charavay, 1909. In-8, red half-maroquin with corners, covers preserved (Binding of the period). First edition of this offprint from "L'amateur d'autographes", printed in forty numbered copies, no. 9. It is an article by Jules Coüet, librarian of the Comédie Française, in two distinct parts: Firstly, the publication of Grimod's three letters relating to the theatre and mainly to the Comédie Française, addressed to his friend Rodier, councillor at the Cour des Aydes. Secondly, Coüet's commentary on the "silence of letters" on the pleasures of the table, of which Grimod was the first essayist. A unique copy "stuffed" with letters and documents related to the text, mounted on tabs: First part (theatrical life) -A L.A.S. from J. Couet on Comédie française headed paper to a friend to whom he is sending a copy of his article. He points out a typographical error which he has rectified. -Portrait of Grimod engraved on copper. - Engraving enhanced with watercolour "Portrait de M. Van Hove". -A L.A.S. from Monvel asking his friend Lafont to play Cinna with him. -Engraving in col. "Costume of Mad. Vestris" in the role of Jeanne de Naples. -A L.A.S. from the actor Molé to Mr. Alix, lawyer. -A L.A.S. from Pierre Laurent Belloy author of the play "Le siège de Calais" that Grimod saw the day before, to Ducis, at the Arsenal. -Engraved portrait of Belloy. -Engraved portrait of Fleury, actor at the Comédie Française. -A letter (12 lines format in-16) from Madame Grimod (Adélaïde Feuchère), former actress in Lyon, addressed to Favart, playwright. Second part (gourmet life) -3 documents in facsimile, which are part of the Coüet article: Invitation to the supper-collation of 1 February 1783, Engraving entitled "Les Audiences d'un Gourmand" (1804), Invitation to the 461st session of the Tasting Jury (28 April 1812). -Autograph letter from J. B. Nougaret dated 29 brumaire an 6 (1798) addressed to Grimod, barely disguised request to be part of the next "jury". The LARGE fold-out MENU for the 463rd meeting of the Tasting Panel on 12 May 1812. -The printed CONVOCATION addressed to Charles Favart to attend the 461st meeting of the Jury on 28 April 1812. Grimod, who forgot to sign it, added a few lines in his own handwriting: "You are instructed ... to fetch Madame Hervey...". This is the document reproduced in facsimile and described by Desnoiresterres in his biography of Grimod (pp. 226-235). -The original engraving "Les audiences d'un Gourmand". -The List of Grand Officers, Members and Candidates of the Tasting Jury for the 352nd session on 16 January 1810. It should be remembered that it was at this lunch that the Marquis de Cussy and Misses Minette and Augusta were received. The latter, a 17-year-old "belle voix" of the Opéra, was the Marquis's mistress. For this reception, the pastry chef Rouger outdid himself by creating cakes "à la Minette"; later, so as not to upset his sister, he dedicated to her a sweet novelty, the Augustinettes ... and all three were unanimously elected (Rival. Grimod de La Reynière, pp. 184-185). -A copper engraving "Le lever d'un gourmand". -A large gastronomic map of France, printed by Baudoin. This is the map that illustrates the "Nouvel almanach des Gourmand de A. B. Périgord (1825). -Finally, there are two pages by the editor (?) of the magazine L'Amateur d'Autographes, signed R. B. to supplement Coüet's article on "Deux documents graphiques sur Grimod de La Reynière". Some of these original documents are extremely rare. On one of the blank endpapers the following handwritten inscription: "Les cuisiniers de Londres à son Excellence Monsieur Aimé de Fleuriau, Ambassadeur de France. 8 mai 1933". An exceptional copy.