MARMONTEL (Jean-François). Chefs-d'œuvre dramatiques, ou recueil des meilleures pièces du théâtre françois, tragique, comique et lyrique. Paris, Grangé, 1773. In-4, granite calf, triple gilt fillet and roulette, spine decorated, inner lace, gilt edges, slipcase (L. Claessens). First edition. This is the only volume in a series intended as a critical introduction to the theatre. It contains Sophonisbe by Jean Mairet, Scévole by Pierre Du Ryer and Venceslas by Jean Rotrou. First edition of Charles Eisen's remarkable neoclassical illustration, including 3 hors-texte figures, 15 headpieces and 10 culs-de-lampe engraved after his drawings by Delaunay, Helman, Masquelier, Née and Ponce. A very fine copy printed on strong, slightly bluish paper, with the engravings in fine proofs, in a luxurious pastiche binding by Claessens. Some very rare spotting. Cohen, 689 (erroneous collation).