Catalogue Molière

This illustrated catalog of Molière’s books renews the knowledge we had on the published editions during the actor’s lifetime.

Since Albert Jean Guibert’s work in 1961, research has come a long way, thanks to the archaeological methods applied to antique books, as well as the discovery of new copies. As the fifth centenary of the playwright is starting, it is necessary to give collectors, bibliophiles, scholars, specialized booksellers and librarians, an updated and increased inventory of Molière’s works, enriched with plates that allow a reliable and easy identification. The repertoire is chronologically organized and a specific description of each edition is available.
The catalog is preceded by a summary of Molière’s editorial activity, then followed by the transcription of archives relating to the history of the publications of the writer and index tables.

This book is a practical guide to identifying the copies you hold in your hands.

Alain Riffaud is the author of Une archéologie du livre français moderne, a Répertoire du théâtre français imprimé au XVIIe siècle, an Aventure du théâtre français imprimé au XVIIe siècle, and a study about Les Libraires des Augustins. He has drawn up the texts for the publication of the complete works of Molière published in the Pleiade collection (Gallimard, 2010). In 2022, he published Le Libraire de Molière, a book which unanimously won in 2024 the French prize for bibliography and history of books. The researcher is an antique book specialist. He has written many articles, more particularly archaelogical investigation studies of Molière’s comedies, published in the Bulletin du bibliophile.

Jean-Marc Chatelain who is the French national library Reserve manager, prefaced this book.

Alain Riffaud
Catalogue Molière
1660-1673
Reliure cartonnée cousue, 17 x 24 cm
512 pages, plus de 500 iIllustrations couleur
Juillet 2025
ISBN : 978-2-9-910853-18-1