Jean Racine: Ancient editions of the theatre and Œuvres

18th-century Œuvres

Racine himself revised his plays for the collected Œuvres published during his lifetime, up to the 1697 edition. In the 18th century, Paris and Amsterdam booksellers reprinted them constantly, often in two or three volumes in-12°, sometimes with plates. For these editions, a contemporary binding in good condition and the presence of all announced plates determine the value.

19th-century editions

The 19th century annotated. The 1808 edition, accompanied by Geoffroy’s commentary—dramatic critic of the Journal des débats—combines the plays with extensive critical apparatus. The Didot firm printed carefully produced editions, from large formats to small volumes, the latter prized for the clarity of their typography. Illustrated editions from the second half of the century, sometimes combining Corneille and Racine, were primarily reading books.

Louis Racine and false attributions

The poem La Religion (1742) is by Louis Racine, son of the playwright; it is often catalogued under the single name Racine. Stendhal’s pamphlet Racine et Shakspeare belongs to the Romantic debate: it belongs on our Stendhal page.

In November 2026, our Racine editions ranged from about €30 to €220.

Frequently asked questions

What is an old edition of Racine’s Œuvres worth?

An 18th- or 19th-century edition costs from a few dozen to a few hundred euros depending on completeness, plates and binding. 17th-century first editions belong to a different market.

Is the poem La Religion by Jean Racine?

No, it is by his son Louis Racine (1692–1763), published in 1742. Check the forename on the title page.

Do you buy old Racine editions?

Yes. The bookseller appraises them free of charge from photos: title page, spine, boards and, for an illustrated edition, a view of the plates.

To go further

• Pierre Corneille: old editions, from Le Cid to Voltaire’s edition.
• Molière, collector’s guide.
• Old theatre books.