Pierre-Augustin Caron de BEAUMARCHAIS (1732-1799). Manuscript, Le mariage de Figaro. Pièce en cinq actes de Mr. Caron de Beaumarchais, 1784; in-4 (21 x 16.5 cm) de [2ff]-180pages, contemporary binding in marbled fawn calf, spine decorated with title-piece (boards a little rubbed). Manuscript predating the edition of the play. [Beaumarchais' long-banned play La Folle Journée, ou Le Mariage de Figaro was first performed by the Comédiens Français on April 27, 1784, to great acclaim; the first edition was published by Ruault in early 1785 (the approval and printing permit are dated January 25 and 31, 1785)]. The title page of our manuscript reads: "Cette pièce a été copiée de mémoire mais on y a conservé autant qu'il a été possible les expressions de Mr de Beaumarchais." We added: "Na. à la vérification, il n'y a pas s'y trouvé un seul mot changé ou transposé. Cette pièce a été redigée de mémoire au mois de 9bre 1784 par Mr Delero." The page with the "Character names" bears the names of the actors who created the play, and states: "A la cinquante et unième représentation Mlle Laurent a pris le role de Mlle Olivier [Chérubin] et la petite Contat sœur de Mlle Contat a pris le role de Mlle Laurent [Fanchette]". The manuscript, in neat, highly legible brown ink, does not bear the title La Folle Journée; it shows slight variations from the edited text; the order of the couplets in the final vaudeville is different from that in the edition. Attached is the manuscript of L'Épingle, comédie-vaudeville en un acte, par MM..., 1826, from the Montmartre theater, with numerous corrections and modifications (hardback, small in-4).