[PERFORMING ARTS] [BERNHARDT, SARAH] shakespeare's tragedy of hamlet London: J.M. Dent and Co, 1899. Fourth edition. Square 32mo. (216) pp. Frontispiece photogravure. From the library of legendary French stage actress Sarah Bernhardt. Bound with a calligraphic copy of a sonnet on vellum in red and black ink by French poet and dramatist Edmond Rostand, composed in honor of Bernhardt. Original June 1923 auction catalogue description tipped in at front, original lot number mounted to same. Bound in full sienna niger morocco, elaborately tooled by hand in gilt, incorporating Bernhardt's initials and motto, "Quand Même" on front board; turn-ins ruled in gilt; all edges gilt, by the Guild of Women Binders. Boards moderately foxed, corners lightly bumped; prelims lightly foxed with some minor off-setting, text very lightly foxed in margins. Ex-library (VHM) with call numbers in pencil on front paste-down and title-page. One of the most celebrated stage performers of her day, Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923) regaled the stage with a career spanning over 60 years. Performing in dozens of productions, most notably being the first women to play Hamlet in 1899, the French dramatist and poet Edmond Rostand considered her, "the queen of pose and the princess of gesture." Offered here is a beautifully bound volume of Shakespeare's Hamlet from Bernhardt's personal library, including a sonnet by Rostand and dedicated to Bernhardt. This volume, issued the same year as her role defying performance of Hamlet, captures this important moment in her legendary career. "There are five kinds of actresses: bad actresses, fair actresses, good actresses, great actresses - and then there is Sarah Bernhardt" - Mark Twain. PROVENANCE: The Collection of Ambassador and Mrs. Alexander Weddell, Richmond, Virginia. Deaccessioned by The Virginia House Museum to benefit future preservation, acquisitions, and care of collections.