17" (43 cm.) x 14" trunk. A wooden domed trunk with leather cover and wooden straps opens to a brimming-full collection of puppet costumes and accessories, for about 18" puppets. Each of the costumes is hand-stitched in very sturdy manner with fanciful and lavish decorative trim to represent various aristocratic and military characters of the early 19th century. Included are 16 coats, 5 dresses or capes, 3 bi-corn hats, 7 other hats to match costumes, 1 magician cap, and various accessories, viz. 8 swords, 4 rifles, 1 horsehead, 1 dragon, and 1 snake; there are 50 pieces total. Included with the collection is a hand-written theatre script "Mandrin" listing each of the "personnages" in the three-act performance. Condition: generally excellent, some age wear on fabric that is inconsequential. Comments: French, early 19th century, the set is similar to those remaining fragments at Nohant, the country home of Georges Sands, French female author of that period who is often referred to as the first Bohemian author, and who presented a remarkable theatre for her children in the garret of that home. Value Points: outstanding handmade theatre presentation pieces, carefully preserved in their original wooden trunk.