Theater-Figuren aus dem Verlage von M. Trentsensky in Wien
Contributors: Nebehay, Christian M.,   1909-2003,  former owner
Publisher: M. Trentsensky
Published: 1839
Place of publication: Wien
Language: ger
Number of pages: 243
Subjects: Drama; Costume
Other titles: Theater-Figuren
Description: Contains 243 hand-colored illustrations of theatrical costumery from 41 different productions, including six of Shakespeare's plays (Coriolanus, King Lear, Othello, Hamlet, King Henry VIII, and Winter's tale.)
Notes: All illustrations are hand-colored.

Table of contents [p.3] at front includes publisher's price listing for black and white, colored, and wood-mounted lithographs.

Matthias Trentsensky was a prolific lithographer and engraver born in Vienna in 1790. Drawing on his experience in the Napoleonic campaigns, he began by producing militaria but also produced plates of theater costume, toy theaters, and genre scenes. Sold individually in black and white or hand-colored, these theater costumes were a staple in Biedermeier households. Lithographs like the ones in this collection formed the way in which generations visualized plays they had not yet seen and influenced much contemporary stage design.

Boston Public Library (Rare Books Department) copy halfbound in grain-embossed leather and green cloth with the title "Theater-Figuren" stamped in gilt on the upper cover. The spine is unlabeled. The bookplate of Christian M. Nebehay is present on the front pastedown. Some of the leaves have names, such as "Rudi," "Mox," "Hami," "Paula," or "Manon" written in watercolor under specific characters. Leaf 95 has both the name Rudi and the date, 12/11/1882, while no. 122 is dated 1883. Some leaves have initials or signatures in the margins.