[RACHEL] - JANIN (Jules). Rachel and tragedy. Paris : Amyot, 1859. - In-8, 267 x 180 : portrait, (2 ff.), 528 pp. 9 photographs. Dark green half-chagrin, dark blue percaline boards, decorated with a floral frame and an iron representing Rachel on the first board, and a small floral frame on the second, smooth spine decorated with two special irons representing various attributes related to the theatre on the top and Rachel in one of her roles in the lower part, gilt edges (publisher's binding) First edition of this very beautiful work by Jules Janin celebrating the career of the tragic actress Rachel (1821-1858) who had just died. It is one of the very first books illustrated with original photographic prints, including 10 out-of-text photographs of the actress by Henri de Blanchère. The first one, in the frontispiece, represents her from a painting by M. Muller, the next 8 show her in 7 of her main roles (Hermione, Camille, Monime, Phèdre (2), Roxane, Athalie and Czarine), and the last one represents her in Le Cannet 3 months before her death. A copy in the publisher's binding with a plate on the first board showing Rachel as Monime, made from the corresponding photograph, and another iron plate on the back showing the actress as Phèdre. This copy is enriched with the cover plates of the book, unbound, soiled and in a smaller format than the volume, as well as a lithographed portrait of Rachel and a 2-page in-4 manuscript, early 20th century, unsigned, on Madame de Sévigné. Small cracks at the hinges, first box partly untied. Minor foxing. Attached: - CUISIN (P.). Bouquet offered to Miss Rachel, tragic actress at the French followed by biographical notes on this great tragedienne nicknamed the Wonder of the Theatre and other famous actors and actresses. Paris: J. N. Barba, 1839. - In-8, 248 x 168: frontispiece, 88 pp. printed cover. Dark blue half-maroquin, spine ribbed and decorated with a gilt figure, red head, untrimmed, cover preserved (Franz). Rare first edition of this publication divided into 3 parts, the first comprising a series of tributes in verse, "presenting an analysis of the principal features of the life of Miss Rachel", followed by a biography in prose and biographical notes of famous actors and actresses. The illustration includes a beautiful lithograph by Eugène André as a frontispiece. Copy enriched with two portraits of Rachel, respectively from the Galerie dramatique and the Galerie de la Presse, as well as an article by Du Mersan on Rachel. Rubbing from use on the spine, one corner damaged. Cover stained and torn at edges. Some foxing. Provenance: Jules Claretie, with his gilt figure on the spine.