Topographie éditoriale du Cid, Paris, 1637

Alain Riffaud

Abstract

At the beginning of January 1637, the success of Le Cid encouraged the Parisian bookworld to publish Pierre Corneille’s play as soon as possible. The chronology, and the agreement between the two booksellers Augustin Courbé and François Targa were already known. But it remained to inscribe the editorial process in the Parisian topography. Our research allowed us to draw a precise survey of the edition of Le Cid in the first quarter of 1637. The route began at the Grande Chancellerie, located in the hotel of the chancellor Pierre Séguier, for the delivery of the printing permission. The two booksellers agreed then on the sharing of the privilege at the notary Charles Sadron, settled in the Vieille-Draperie street. Then, each one on their side, the publishers made print a half of the total amount of sheets. François Targa solicited his brother Pierre, who lived with him, Saint-Victor street. Augustin Courbé, tenant in Saint-Hilaire street, worked with Nicolas Gasse’s printshop, located very close. Finally, the copies were sold at the Palais de la Cité, in the stores of the two booksellers, whose exact location and dimensions are finally revealed. This survey thus restores in a lively way the deeds and the network of the actors in Parisian book space.