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BIBLIOGRAPHY: THE WORLD OF BUSINESS AND COMMERCE
AS SEEN BY FRENCH LITERARY AUTHORS
Update: January 2008
IMPORTANT NOTE: Working, research-oriented bibliography of works in French literature in which the subject or plot involves a hero who is a businessman and/or the business activity of the period. In a general sense, any literary work in which "money" plays a key or important role. "La chasse à l'argent." and its impact on the society of the day. 8 Maurice G.A. Elton
ANTIER, Benjamin., SAINT-ARMAND, PAULYANTHE. L'Auberge des Adrets (1823) This play introduces the
character Robert Macaire. A highly amusing play,set within a country Inn, where Macaire finds brief refuge following his escape from prison. This play does not fall quite within the subject area though Macaire is certainly to be associated with "La chasse à l'argent" via unscrupulous means. Daumier depicts him as wheeler-dealer. See entry below. AUGIER, Emile
Le Gendre de Monsieur Poirier (1854); La Ceinture dorée (1855); La Jeunesse (1858); Un Beau mariage (1859); Les Effrontés (1861).
Maître Guérin (ca. 1860). (Cf. Sarcey, Vol. 5 -Poirier/Guerin)) La Jeunesse (6 fév 1858) A young "avocat" gives up "la richesse" for love. L'argent is central to action.
BALZAC, Honoré de
Eugénie Grandet (1833)
Histoire de la Grandeur et de la décadence de César Birotteau, marchand parfumeur, adjoint au maire du deuxième arrondissement de Paris,
Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur, etc. (1837) The rise and fall (bankruptcy) of a Parisian perfumer described in accurate financial and commercial terms. Today, could be considered a classic case-history of how an honest businessman becomes the victim of a former employee. At least a list of 100 or more business terms still in use today!! Mercadet (play, 1851) adapted for the stage by d'Ennery (cf). Originally titled Le Faiseur (1830) and which Balzac finally
completed in 1848 after ten years of revision. Dramatic presentation of a speculator who holds creditors at bay with promises of even greater fortunes and interest. Interesting note: Mercadet hopes for for the return of Godeau, a former partner who had earlier absconded with funds. "Waiting for Godeau..." is a repeated refrain. Godeau does eventually return like a "Deus ex machina." (According to Le Grand Robert: "Faiseur se dit aussi d'un homme d'affaires peu scrupuleux, véreux,
habile à faire des dupes et à leur extorquer de l'argent). NOTE: Le Faiseur was presented at La Comédie Française in Paris in April
1993 in Balzac's original version. (Recorded live performance [April 1993] available on 2 audio cassettes.) From September - November 1996, Le Faiseur was presented in Paris at the Théâtre El Dorado. Extremely well performed by the actors which brought out the humourous side of Balzac. Original Balzac text greatly edited in order to make the play move along more smoothly. Also: Video: Le Faiseur, in the series: Au Théâtre ce soir (n.d.). (TF1 Vidéo)
Illusions perdues; Le Père Goriot
L'Illustre Gaudissart Gaudissart, first encountered in César Birotteau where he, as a young man, helped with the marketing
of César Birotteau's new product, a hair oil. He now has become a renown salesman, travelling across France and able to sell anything he is asked to represent. Balzac presents a humorous glimpse of the ups and downs of this particular profession.
Gaudissart II Another salesman who emulates the original Gaudissart. In this account, Balzacs describes the tactics used by a shopkeeper to pass off old and outmoded merchandise - at a high price - to unsuspecting foreign women customers. La Maison de chat qui pélote (1830) Description of a dreary shopkeeper and his sombre and uninviting shop, typical of so many that would later find themelves pitted against the hype and bustle of the burgeoning department stores. La Maison Nucingen (1838)
Code des gens honnêtes; ou l'art de ne pas être dupe des fripons. (1825) New edition published by Manya (1990) ISBN 2-87742-041-8.
One of Balzac's earliest works, a "how-to" manual, describing a wide range of scams and how to avoid being taken in. Little has changed as we learn each day about new scandals and scoundrels.
Les Journalistes. (1843) New edition published by Arléa (1991) ISBN 2-86959-095-4. It was during Balzac's day that the newspapers and journalists increased in importance and power. Balzac also realized the full potential of using the newspapers for advertising. Balzac's observations are as current today as when he first wrote them. Les employés. (1837 - 1844) Balzac's original title: La Femme supérieure. Little known novel in which Balzac exposes the
inner mindset of civil servants, the growing bureaucracy, but in particular the Ministry of Finance. Balzac was way ahead of his time in seeing the inevitability of corruption in high places. 154 years later, in Paris of 1998, two books reveal that little
has changed for the best: L'Argent des fonctionnaires, Thierry Jean-Pierre. Paris: 1998, Editions Fixot. ISBN 221087968. Dans
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les coulisses de Bercy: Le cinquième pouvoir. Jean Arthuis. Paris: 1998, Albin Michel. ISBN 2226100741.
BARRIÈRE, Théodore, & Ernest Capendu
Faux Bonshommes. (Nov 6, 1856) (review Sarcey 1889). Two artists commissioned for portraits for two retired rich merchants. (See Sarcey, Vol. 5).
BEAUMARCHAIS, P.A. Caron de. Les Deux Amis ou Le Négociant de Lyon. (1770) Somewhat feeble plot used to portray
the utter honesty of two close friends(négociant/receveur général) who face bankruptcy but are saved by the other's selfless act. Static action saved somewhat by the love element involving the daughter and son of the two friends in question. BEAUPLAN, Arthur de
Les Pièges dorés.(1856) Source: Henri Gaillard de Champris. Emile Augier et la comédie sociale. (1910)
BECQUE, Henry
Les Corbeaux (1882) Well-known play describing the plight of a family when the father, a successful businessman dies, and creditors descend en masse to seek the payment of debts. A typical situation when businessmen failed to share their business activity and affairs with a wife or family.
Les Polichinelles (unfinished play)
BLANCPAIN, Marc. L'Estaminet des coeurs sensibles. Paris, Denoël
BLOCH, Jean-Richard. Et Cie... Paris: Dentu 1917. Set in the west of France, following the Franco-Prussian war, a Jewish family, originally from Alsace, set up a successful clothing business.
BONJOUR, Casimir
L'Argent (ou les mœurs du jour) (1826) 5 actes et en vers. Présenté au Théâtre français le 12 octobre 1826. Original version has just L'Argent. Lengthy preface in which author defends his play. Mentions the subtitle which he decided to delete. Critical of way money, with all its adverse effects, has become predominant in life.
Le Malheur du riche et le bonheur du Pauvre. (roman de mœurs) Paris: Dumont, 1836 (279 pp) La mère rivale (1821); Le Presbytère
(1833); Le Mari à bonnes fortunes (1824) La Filleule ou les deux ages (posthume de Bonjour)
BRIEUX, Eugène (1858-1932)
Les Bienfaiteurs (1896) Philanthropy in the work place. L'Avocat (?) La Robe rouge. Justice in France during the 19th century.
L'Engrenage (1894). An honest worker/businessman is pressured into running for a political office. He resists because he cannot stomach the less-than-honest means used to get elected. Cf. American film: Mr Smith goes to Washington. (Play
critiqued by Francisque SARCEY (1894). Les Trois filles de M. Dupont.
BRUEYS David Augustine de L'Avocat Pathelin (1706) new ed. 1902
BRUEYS et PALAPRAT Le Grondeur (1691) New ed. Gautier, Paris: 1889
CALONNE, Ernest de. L'Amour et l'argent. Paris: 1874
CHAMPMESLÉ, Charles Chevillet de. La Ruë Saint-Denis (1682). Probably first French play to treat the subject of
bankruptcy as a means to amassing a fortune. Note that a play by Fatouville, Banqueroutier (1687) deals also with bankruptcy
as a source of wealth. However, BN has no trace of this work. See below. eCHARLEMAGNE, Jean-Armand. L'Agioteur Max Aghion, in Le Théâtre à Paris au 18 siècle (p.53) mention two "pièces"
satiriques dirigées contre les profiteurs et les "nouveaux enrichis." See MAILLOT below: In L'Agioteur we have Tripoteur,
a shady character "un perruquier trafiquant." La Fille à marier (1793). L'Hommes de lettres et l'homme d'affaires (1795). La Journée
des dupes (1816).
CHANTAL, Olivier. L'Argent et l'amour. Paris: 1890
CHARNACE, Guy de Girard. L'Amour et l'argent. Paris: 1893
CHAZET, Réné-André-Polydore Alisan de Chazet. Les Commissaires, ou Récompense honnête. Paris: 1810. L'Ecu de six francs ou
l'héritage. (comédie) Paris: Barba, 1809.
[CHERCUSAC], Louis de. L'Amour de l'argent. (1882) ] NO TRACE!! Check name again in source document.
CHERON, François. [co-author on various plays] Did not write plays. Récits inédits sur la vie de famille dans les classes bourgeoises avant la révolution. Angers: 1881
CLAIRVILLE, Paul de; et FAULQUEMONT, Commerson.
La Bourse et les Petites Bourses,à propos vaudeville en un acte. Paris: Beck (1845)
CLAIRVILLE (dit: Louis-François NICOLAIE) et DUMANOIR (Philippe François Pinel, dit DUMANOIR)
Les Avocats.
CLARETIE, Arsène-Arnaud (dit Jules). Le Million (Roman parisien) E.Dentu 1882 Note:20 volumes 1881-1911)
COURTELINE, Georges
Hortense, Couche-toi! (1897) Saynète, mêlée de chœurs. This short play could be considered comparable to the current sitcoms on American TV. A tenant about to be forced out of an apartment by the landlord invokes a little- known law
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which allows him to remain an additional two weeks.
Un Client sérieux (1896) Comédie en un acte. Paris: Stock (nouv. éd.) 1922
CUREL, François de. Le Repas du Lion. Paris, 1897.
DAMPIERRE =Dampierre de La Salle Bienfait rendu ou le Négociant. Paris: Prault 1763. Aussi: Qui Perd gagne; L'Ingrat sans le
savoir; Le Faux avare. Ces pièces sont dans: Le Théâtre d'un amateur, Paris: 1878 (2 vols)
DANINOS. Pierre
Un Certain M. Blot. Paris, Hachette. An average, middle class Frenchman, wishes to increase his modest savings. DANCOURT, Florent Carton, Sieur d'.
Les Agioteurs (1710). Play on the theme of speculation, much in vogue at the beginning of the 18th century. Dancourt's comedies are realistic pictures of the society he saw about him. His plays are a rich source for the examination of a bour-geoisie corrupted by wealth, the slow pace of justice, administered by scheming lawyers. Considered to be a precursor of Lesage and his Turcaret. The latter, around which the action centers, is evoked more than he is seen on stage. On the other hand, Dancourt's Trapolin in the Les Agioteurs, portrays the feverish daily activity of a financier whose every minute is fully pre-occupied with making money at other's people's expense without, if possible, being duped himself. DAUDET, Alphonse
Fromont Jeune et Risler aîné (1874). Considered by critics to be one of his best novels. Description of how one jealous woman's need for revenge plunges a prosperous company into bankruptcy and tragedy. Le Nabab (1877) The novel about a
Provençal who, having a realized a fortune in Tunis, returns at age fifty to establish himself in Paris. Surrounded by unscrupulous persons, ready to prey on his fortune, he falls victim to the swindlers, flatterers, and the politics of the Second
Empire society. To this bibliographer, one of Daudet's best novels, yet seldomed mentioned. DAUMIER, Honoré (Lithographer and caricaturist)
Les Gens d'affaires (Robert Macaire). Paris: 1979. Editions André Sauret. ISBN 2-85132-002-X A collection of illustrations depicting French businessmen of the 19th century among whom is the legendary Robert Macaire, a cad and villain of the first order. Daumier portrays Macaire in a number of guises, all representing the various business professions of the day. The subject of a later comedy by Lemaître and Antier, Robert Macaire (1834) [see below].
DELAVIGNE, Casimir-Jean-François. L'Ecole des vieillards. Paris: Barba, 1823. Voir aussi: Théâtre de M.C. Delavigne, T.1,
1840
DELAVIGNE, Germain [+ Scribe] L'Héritière, comédie/vaudeville. Paris: Pollet, 1826 (Voir Scribe)
DESAUGIERS, Marc-Antoine-Madeleine. Le Marchand de parapluies, ou la Noce à la Guinguette. Paris: 1825
DOUCET, Camille. La Chasse au fripons, Paris: Furne, 1846
DRUON, Maurice. Les Grandes Familles. Paris: Julliard. A rich family and the stock exchange. Aussi: La Chute des corps.
DUFRESNAY ? any interest? mentioned by Petit du Juville @BN=see Champagne-du-Fresnay (Henri Hercule), perhaps no connection with LITFFB. No entries in catalog.
DUHAMEL, Georges. La Passion de Joseph Pasquier. Story of a financier.
DUMANOIR (Philippe François Pinel, dit: DUMANOIR) 1852
Les Avocats. Les Avoués en vacances (1839) Une Spéculation (vaudeville) Paris: Barba, 1836
Le Bourgeois de Paris, ou les 6 leçons du pouvoir.
Les Crapauds immortels. (Revue en 3 actes)
DUMAS, Alexandre, Fils. La Question d'argent. (1987). The origin, in this play, of the expression "Les affaires, c'est l'argent des
autres."
EPAGNY, (= J.B. Rose-Bonaventure Violet d')
Luxe et indigence (1824) 5 actes et en vers. Les Abus de Paris.
ETIENNE, C.-G. Les Deux Gendres, 1805. L'Intrigante, ou l'Ecole des familles.
EVE, Antoine-Francois... see MAILLLOT below.
FABRE, Emile.
L'Argent (1895) 4 actes en prose. Paris: Flammarion, 1920. César Birotteau (d'après Balzac) A play, faithful to Balzac's novel.
However, the novel would be a better choice than the play.
La Rabouilleuse (d'après Balzac) Paris: 1904. Les Ventres Dorés, Les Sauterelles. Paris: 1911. Corruption in an imaginary French
colony. Le Bien d'autrui. Denis Roger wishes to return 600 000[ he has erroneously inherited from a relative.
FALBAIRE =Fenouillot de Falbaire de Quingey, Charles Georges. Fabricant de Londres (1778). According to critics (see
Gaiffe): Un echec lamentable... grossier et indigente. Deals with bankruptcy. Two characters: Henri et Juliette. FATOUVILLE, Nolant de. Grapian ou Arlequin procureur. Paris: 1684. NOTE: Banqueroutier (1687) is NOT listed at BN.
But LC lists L'Avocat pour et contre.
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FAULQUEMONT et COMMERSON
Le Marchand de parapluies. (Revue de l'année 1860 en 3 actes) Paris: Pilloy, s.d.
FLEG, Edmond.
Marchand de Paris (1929) Not a very coherent play. Critics decry the representation of the business world on the stage when the authors know nothing about the world of business.
HAMM, Alexandre. Un Grand banquier (1883) A detailed account of the rise and fall of a banker. A self-serving man, without morals, using other people's money to satisfy a decadent life style which ends finally in a tragic and sordid manner.
HARLEVILLE, Jean-Francois Collin d'. Les Mœurs du jour, ou l'Ecole des jeunes femmes. Paris: Huet, 1800
GASCAR, Pierre. L'Herbe des rues. Paris: Gallimard. A young man discovers that banking is not for him. LABICHE, Eugène. Moi (21 mars 1864) Performed during the Fall 1996 at the Comédie Française, Paris. Two men compete and try to obtain a valuable piece of land in Paris through trickery.
LA BRUYERE, Jean de, (1645-96). Des biens de fortune: L'argent. (Caractères, Chap. VI). Harsh criticism of those for whom
money is everything: Ceux qui vivent pour l'argent ne sont plus des hommes.
LADOUCETTE, Edmond. L'Amour et l'argent. Paris: Editions Nouvelles, 1907.
LA FONTAINE
L'Ingratitude et l'injustice des hommes envers la fortune. (Fable: 17th Century importer of foreign goods whose good fortune comes to an end when he fails to insure a large shipment that is later lost at sea)
LAFORTELLE. A.-M. L'Amour et l'argent, ou le créancier rival. Comédie. Paris: 1803 (Collaboration: Chazet et Désaugiers.
LARBAUD, Valéry [pseud L.Hargiosy] A.O Barnabooth. Paris: Gallimard, 1913. [SMU=849 L318]
LA VILLE DE MIRMONT, Alexandre-Louis-Joseph. Le Roman. Paris: Barba, 1825. Le Moyen de parvenir (1846), Vol. 4,
Théâtre.
LEMAITRE, Frederick. Benjamin ANTIER. et al.
Robert Macaire (1834) The actor Lemaître immortalized the rôle and character of Robert Macaire, one of two villains in the original melodrama L'Auberge des Adrets by Benjamin Antier, Saint-Amand, and Paulyanthe.
The figure of Robert Macaire was immortalized further through the illustrations of Honoré Daumier. (See above) LESAGE, Alain-René
Turcaret (1709) The well-known play in which a despised financier and fermier-général is taken in by cupidity and scam
artists. Lesage was criticized for his portrayal of these early tax-collectors. MAILLOT [pseudo for EVE, Antoine-Francois, dit Maillot ou Démaillot. Madame Angot ou la poissarde parvenue. Paris: Barba,
1796
MAUROIS, André. Bernard Quesnay. Paris: Gallimard, 1926
MAIZEROY, R.= Baron Toussaint [pseudo de Réné] La Dernière Croisade Moeurs Parisiennes. Paris: Havard 1883
MAZERES (= Edouard-Joseph Ennemond) Le Jeune mari Paris: Bezou, 1826.
MEROUVEL,[ pseudo: Chartier, Charles]. Le Krack: moeurs du jour. Paris: E. Dentu, 1882
MERCIER, Louis-Sebastien (1740-1814). La Brouette du vinaigrier. (1784). Plea for social equality not based on money and wealth; also, Le juge. Le Négociant. 1 vol Paris: 1882
MIRBEAU, Octave
Les Affaires sont les affaires (play: 1903) The origin of the expression "Business is business." In the play, LeChat, a wealthy and unscrupulous businessman sacrifices even his family in his obsession to remain rich and a successful businessman. [1995
Note: The play was presented in Paris during the 1994-5 season. Comments were that business and scandals are no different
today than they were 100 years ago.]
Le Foyer (1908) Abuses in a badly-managed charitable institution. (Le Foyer, an orphanage for girls). Les Mauvais Bergers. 1897,
a play similar to Le Repas du Lion by François de Curel. Workers organize a strike. (Sarcey: Vol.7)
MOREAU, LAFORTELLE, et FRANCIS. Les Joueurs ou la Hausse et la baisse. (18 août 1821)
NAVERY, Raoul de.[Eugenie-Caroline-Saffray Chervet] Les Drames de l'argent. Paris: Bleriot et Gautier, 1883. [LC=Mme
David. Name discrepancy problem with this author.
OFFENBACH, Jacques. Le Financier et le Savetier (1856) (Théâtre des Bouffes Parisiens)
d'ORCET, G. La Comtesse Schylock. Scènes de la vie moderne. Paris: Plon 1885. Les Grands pauvres. [nd]
ORNEVAL. L'Arlequin traitant. (18th c.)
PEREC, Georges. Les Choses. Paris: Julliard. A couple of students of modest means are caught up in the consumer society. They try their luck in the field of advertising. NOTE: No trace at BN!!
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PICARD, André. and Paul ADAM. Le Cuivre (1985) Commercial selfishness that precipitates war. A wordy, philosophical play, and not closely related to research field.
PICARD, Louis-Benoît
L'Agiotage, ou le Métier à la mode. (1826)
Médiocre et rampant: ou le moyen de parvenir. Comédie en 5 actes. Paris: Huet, 1707
Les Gens comme il faut et les petits gens ou Aventures d'Auguste Minard, fils d'un adjoint au maire de Paris. Paris: Baudamin frère, 1826
(2 vol). La Vieille tante, ou les collatéraux. Paris: 1824. Lendemain de fortune; Riche et pauvre. Paris: Barba, 1827. Monsieur Musard,
ou comme le temps passe. (1803) NOTE: same vol. as Duhautcours]. Héritage et mariage. Paris: Leroux, 1826.
Théâtre. Paris: Laplace, Sanchez et Cie, 1880 1 vol.
PICARD, Louis-Benoît, et CHERON, Louis-Claude. Duhautcours ou le Contrat d'union (1801)
PICARD et MAZERES. Les Trois Quartiers. Paris: Ladvocat, 1827. Three areas in Paris; where the merchants. bankers, and nobility live. A young businessman, whose wealth increases, tries to move up the social ladder. PICARD et MAZERES. Héritage et mariage. Paris: 920 mai 1826
PICARD, WALFLARD et FULGENCE. Le Jeu de la Bourse ou la bascule. Paris: Barba,
PILHES, René-Victor
L'Imprécateur (1974) The power of the multinationals. Bestseller during 1974. (See review in Contemporary French Civilization,
Spring 1978). La Faux (1993) Pilhes' most recent novel describes the last months of a cancer-stricken internationally-renown French financier who returns to his ancestral village located in a rough, mountainous region of
France. The initial clash of cultures is finally resolved via the scythe, a simple yet complex farm tool, after which the novel
is named.
PONSARD, François
L'Honneur et l'argent (1853) La Bourse (1856) Play is misnamed in that the action takes place outside the Bourse. REGNARD, Jean-François.
Le Légataire universel (1708). Greedy heirs surround a dying rich relative. Video B/W version: INA: 1973/74 season at the Comédie Française.
REYBAUD, Marie-Roch-Louis [pseudo: Paul Clisson] (1799-1879)
Jérôme Paturot à la recherche d'une position sociale. Bruxelles: A. Jamar, 1842. (Note: il gère, sous la monarchie de Juillet, une société de bitume de Maroc.)
Jérôme Paturot à la recherche de la meilleure des républiques. Paris: Michel-Levy Frères, 1849.
Le Dernier des commis voyageurs: + others... Paris: Michel-Levy, 1845 2 vols.
Etudes sur le régime des manufactures. Paris: Michel Levy, 1859.
RIBOUTTE, François-Louis
Le Spéculateur, ou l'Ecole de la jeunesse (1826) L'Assemblée de Famille. Comédie en 5 actes. 1ère 26 fév 1808
ROMAINS, Jules. "Eros de Paris," in Les Hommes de bonne volonté. Paris: Flammarion, 1932-1947. In this part of the collection of novels, a certain businessman, Haverkamp, sets up a real-estate agency. SARDOU, Victorien, [pseudo Jules Pélissé] several ed.
La Famille Benoiton (ca. 1865). (See Sarcey Vol, 6) Typical family situation. Well-off businessman & family. Sarcey writes that play was well received and popular when first performed in 1865. (Vol. 6: Benoiton & Corbeaux)
SAVARY, Jacques.
Le Parfait négociant, Paris: 1875. (Note: from Colbert & Mercantilism book).
SCRIBE, Eugène
Le Mariage d'argent (1827). This play said to be similar to his La Charge à payer ou La Mère intrigante (13 avril 1825 [Gymnase]).
Le Puff (1848) The term "puff," used frequently during the 19th century in France, is close in meaning to our expression
"Hype." In this play, characters assume airs and importance which are in direct contrast to the reality of their station and
position in life. Actionnaires (1820) We see in this play an early portrayal of a board of directors and stockholders none of whom, it appears, knows anything about procedural matters. La Demoiselle à marier (vaudeville).
SCRIBE ET BAYARD. Actionnaires (1829)
SCRIBE ET DELAVIGNE, Germain. L'Héritière, comedie/vaudeville. Paris: Pollet. 1926
SEDAINE Le Philosophe sans le savoir (cf acte V., sc 4.) Ref: [Kinne coll. vol. on Sedaine's theater] STAPLEAUX, Leopold. [pseudo: Louis Lambert] Une victime du krach (1886)
STENDHAL, (pseud. Henri Beyle, 1783-1842)
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Féder. (Unfinished work). Stendhal turned to the writing on economic and business subjects near the end of his life. The work describes the efforts of two wealthy businessmen from Bordeaux who expect to become successful in Paris. They turn to Féder, a poor artist, who advises them on how to conduct themselves. It is regrettable that the novel remains unfinished. There is nothing to indicate how Stendhal intended to resolve everything at the end.
VALLES, Jules
L'Argent par un homme de lettres devenu homme de bourse (1857)
VONOVEN, [pseudo: Henri Varenne] L'Argent des autres, Paris: 1925. La Belle Affaire. No info!
YMBERT, Jacques Gilbert. L'Art de faires des dettes et de promener ses créanciers par un homme comme il faut. Paris: Pelicier, 1822.
Mœurs administratives, (suite aux: Observations sur les mœurs et les usages français au commencement du XIXe siècle. Paris: Ladvocat, 1825
(2 Vols). L'Intérieur d'un bureau ou la chanson. (comedie-vaudeville, en association avec SCRIBE & VARNER). La Marchande
de Coco, ou les Projets de reforme, folie-grivoise en un acte, (7 juin 1822), en association avec VARNER.
ZACCONE, Pierre. Les Drames de la bourse (1882). Une Banqueroute frauduleuse. Paris: 1861
ZOLA, Emile
Pot-Bouille (1882). Au Bonheur des dames (1883) A fascinating description of the early days of the now, well-known group of Parisian department stores that began to force out of business the local shopkeepers whose dingy and uninviting shops were being deserted by customers. These now began to flock to the more attractive emporiums, which provided more choice, more service, and far lower prices. The novel follows the earlier Pot-Bouille work in which we first meet Octave
Mouret who, by luck and much in the way of new marketing skills, creates the leading and unbeatable department store. La Curée (1872); L'Argent (1891) Le Ventre de Paris. An incredibly detailed description of life at Les Halles in Paris and the people who work there. Significant in this novel, part of the Rougon-Macquart cycle, is the importance of women in the daily commercial life of the city.
8ELTON (2008)
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MISCELLANEOUS REFERENCE WORKS. These pertain primarily to the above selected bibliography. The list is by no means exhaustive but is updated as critical works are identified and examined. Some of these studies contain additional sources of information in the way of bibliographical entries.
ALLARD, Louis,
La Comédie de mœurs en France au dix-neuvième siècle. Tome 1, De Picard à Scribe. (1795-1815) Cambridge: 1923, Harvard U. Press.
Tome 2, La Vie, les théatres.
BOISSONNADE, P. Colbert, le triomphe de l'étatisme, la fondation de la suprématie industrielle de la France, la dictature de travail.
(1661-1683). Paris; 1932. See Author for further studies on Colbert and his century.
BOUVIER, René.
Balzac, Homme d'affaires.
BOUVIER, René., Edouard Maynial.
Les Comptes dramatiques de Balzac. Paris, 1938. Both books by Bouvier prove without doubt that though he was a foremost literary writer, Balzac was intimately aware of, and associated with the world of business, though he was never able to make a success of any business venture for himself. An early attempt to establish a publishing venture failed and this initial indebtedness plagued him all his life.
BRUNETIERE, Ferdinand.
Les Epoques du théâtre français: 1636-1850. Paris: Hachette, 1892.
CASTILLE, Hippolyte.
Les Hommes et les moeurs sous Louis-Philippe. Paris, 1853.
CHAMPRIS, Henry Gaillard de.
Emile Augier et la comédie sociale. Paris: Grasset, 1910.
COLE, Charles Woolsey. Colbert and a Century of French Mercantilism. New York: Columbia Un. Press, 1939. In two volumes.
An extensive study of Colbert's influence on French commerce and industry during the 17th century. Cole is an economist and his opus examines the numerous events and personalities that shaped the economic future of France. This 1939 edition contains rich bibliographical sources.
DES GRANGES, Charles.
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La Comédie et les moeurs sous la Restauration et la Monarchie de Juillet, 1815-1848. Paris: 1904
DONNARD, J.-H.
Balzac, les réalités économiques et sociales... (1961)
DUCHENE, Georges
Etudes sur la féodalité financière. La Spéculation devant les tribunaux, pratique et théorie de l'agiotage. Paris: Librairie Centrale, 1867 BN= F 34018
DUCROS, Louis. La Société française au dix-huitième siècle. Paris: Hatier, 1922
GAIFFE, F. eLe Drame en France au XVIII siècle. Paris: Colin, 1907. Good notes & commentaries. p. 370f.. La question d'argent et le
monde des affaires prennent, entre 1760 et 1770, la même importance au théâtre LAMY, Pierre.
Le Théâtre d'Alexandre Dumas Fils. Paris: PUF. 1928
LEMAITRE, Jules.
Impressions de théâtre. Paris: Boivin, 1886. 12 vols. Covers French theatrical productions from 1886 to 1895.
- - La Comédie après Molière et le théâtre de Dancourt. Paris: Welter. 1903
LINTILHAC, Eugène,
La Comédie de la révolution au seconde empire. Paris: Flammarion, 1910
MIRECOURT, Charles-Jean-Baptists Jacquot, dit Eugène de
La Bourse, ses abus et ses mystères (1858) l'auteur qui peint "nos Turcarets modernes.) MONNET, Henry. Scenes de la vie bureaucratique (1835. La Bourse et les signes du siècle. 1863
NOEL, Carlos M.
Les Idées sociales dans le théâtre de A. Dumas fils. Paris: Messein, 1912
NORMAN, H.L., Swindlers and Rogues in French Drama. Chicago: 1928.
Rabelais: Un Petit Journal qui décrit les événements du jour. SARCEY, Francisque.
Quarante ans de théâtre, Paris, Bibliothèque des Annales, 1901 (8 vols). Sarcey (1827-1899) a well-respected theatre critic and
prolific writer contributed for over thirty years a weekly column to Le Temps, reprinted in these eight tomes. Of interest are his comments and take on public acceptance and reaction to plays involving money and business activities, even
discussions with the authors. Note below the plays dealing with Ales affaires@ as critiqued by Sarcey.
SCHWARTZ, H. Stanley.
Alexandre Dumas, fils, Dramatist. New York: NY Un. Press, 1927.
SEE, Edmond.
Le Mouvement dramatique 1929-1930. Paris: Les Editions de France, 1930.
VALLÉE, Oscar de (Louis-René Oscar de...)
Les Manieurs d'argent. Paris: Levy Frères 1882 (Nouvelle introduction) YMBERT, Moeurs administratives (1825)
SARCEY Volumes: (See above)
Vol 2: Regnard: Légataire universel. / Lesage: Turcaret.
Vol 4: Balzac: Mercadet; Ponsard: L=Honneur et l=Argent
Vol 5: Augier: Maïtre Guèrin; Poirier. Barrière: Bonshommes.
Vol 6: Sardou: Benoiton. Becque: Les Corbeaux.
Vol 7: Zola: Pot-Bouille. (+ correspondence with Zola). Mirbeau: Mauvais Bergers.
Vol 8: Brieu: Engrenage. Courteline: Client sérieux.
8 Elton (2008)