Eugène LABICHE.

The Assassins of the Coal Mine. Without place or date [ca. 1856-1857]. Autograph manuscript small in-4 of (1) title page, 61 pages : half tobacco leather with corners, spine with ornamented nerves (Pagnant). Autograph manuscript of the first version of what will become "L'Affaire de la rue de Lourcine" : working manuscript, it presents numerous passages that will be modified as well as eight important additions and corrections in the second part. A one-act vaudeville, L'Affaire de la rue de Lourcine was first performed at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal on March 26, 1857. The sung verses composed by Albert Monnier and Édouard Martin are not included in the manuscript. A satire of the petty bourgeoisie under the Second Empire, the play had no less than three film adaptations in the early 20th century. Precious autograph letter signed on the flyleaf to Alexandre Dumas fils (1824-1895) : I offer to my excellent friend Alexandre Dumas this original manuscript of the affair of the rue de Lourcine, it will be really valuable only when the wood will be very expensive. Eugène Labiche. February 1879. Beautiful copy. It has been bound for the author and bears, inserted in the first lining, a photograph of Eugène Labiche by Nadar.