Pierre Corneille: Early Editions, from Le Cid to the Voltaire Edition

17th-century editions

Each play first appeared separately, in quarto or small format, from Parisian booksellers such as Augustin Courbé or Guillaume de Luyne. Le Cid was published in 1637 in both quarto and small duodecimo, under a privilege dated 23 March 1637. These originals are rare and command prices in the thousands of euros, as do the pamphlets from the ensuing controversy, including the Sentiments de l'Académie françoise sur la tragi-comédie du Cid (1638).

Then came the collected editions. The 1660 edition, Le Théâtre de P. Corneille, revu et corrigé par l'auteur, printed in Rouen by Laurens Maurry for Courbé and de Luyne, comprises three volumes adorned with engravings after François Chauveau; it was the first to include the three Discours on dramatic poetry and the Examens of the plays. The final edition revised by the author appeared in 1682 from Guillaume de Luyne. His verse translation of L'Imitation de Jésus-Christ (1651-1656), a huge publishing success, is also sought after in its early editions, including the 1656 quarto adorned with engravings by Chauveau.

Small Dutch editions

The Elzeviers in Leiden, later Abraham Wolfgang in Amsterdam, reprinted the plays in small format, with the note ‘suivant la copie imprimée à Paris’ and often a globe on the title-page. These are not originals, but their typography and format appeal to collectors of Elzeviriana.

The 18th century and Voltaire’s edition

In 1764, the Théâtre de Pierre Corneille avec des commentaires was published in Geneva by the Cramer brothers, in twelve octavo volumes. Voltaire had it printed by subscription to benefit a descendant of the Corneille family whom he had taken in. The first impression featured a frontispiece after Pierre, engraved by Watelet, and 34 plates after Gravelot. A complete copy in contemporary binding commands around a thousand euros; the 1774 quarto edition reuses the plates.

The other editions of the century, in small calf-bound volumes, remain more affordable: from a few tens to a few hundred euros depending on condition and number of volumes.

The 19th century: scholarly or illustrated

The reference edition remains that of Charles Marty-Laveaux in the collection of the Grands Écrivains de la France (Hachette, 1862-1868, twelve volumes and one album). To identify an old edition, the classic tool is Émile Picot’s Bibliographie cornélienne (1875-1876). Reading editions, such as those by Furne for example, often bound with Thomas Corneille’s plays, and popular illustrated editions range from a few dozen to around one hundred euros.

What determines value, and the pitfalls

• Completeness: count the volumes and plates. A 1764 Voltaire missing its illustrations loses much of its value.
• Binding: contemporary calf or morocco, fresh and unrestored, carries more weight than a rebound copy.
• Edition: a reprint, even from the 17th century, is not the original. Check the date, imprint, and collation in Picot.
• Collections: early plays are often bound together, and each must be identified separately.

Frequently asked questions

How much is an original 1637 Le Cid worth?

The 1637 first edition is rare: depending on format, condition, and binding, it commands thousands of euros, more for a fine provenance copy. A 17th-century reprint or a small Dutch edition costs far less.

Is a Voltaire edition a good entry into collecting?

Yes, for those seeking an 18th-century illustrated Corneille. The first issue of 1764 combines the text, Voltaire’s commentary, and Gravelot’s plates. Check for the frontispiece and all 34 plates.

Why are so many editions issued with both Pierre and Thomas Corneille?

Thomas Corneille (1625–1709), Pierre’s younger brother, was also a successful playwright. 18th- and 19th-century publishers often issued both theatres together; these are reading editions to be judged on condition and binding.

Do you buy old editions of Corneille?

Yes. The bookseller provides a free estimate from photos: send the title page, spine, boards, and, for illustrated works, a view of the plates.

Further reading

• Our authors: all author pages in the catalogue.
• Molière, who performed in Rouen in 1658 and co-wrote Psyché with Corneille and Quinault in 1671.
• Voltaire, commentator on Corneille’s theatre.
• Estimation of 18th-century leather-bound books.
• Morocco, shagreen, sheepskin, calf: identifying binding leathers.
• The Literature and original editions section.
• Sell and have your old books appraised.
• Theatre in old books: editions, programmes, presentation copies