This is a 1773 printed copy of the libretto of "Le tableau parlant" (The talking picture), a one-act comic opera by M. Anseaume, set to music by Grétry. The opera was staged for the first time by the troupe of Italian actors of King Louis XV, on Wednesday, September 20, 1769. The back of the t.p. lists the names of the original actors who performed the characters of the opera at its premier: Isabelle (Madame Trial), [Jean-Louis Laruette] (Cassandre, Isabelle's tutor), [Madame Laruette (Colombine, Isabelle's lady-in-waiting), M. Trial (Léandre, Cassandra's nephew, who is in love with Isabelle), and [[Jean-Baptiste Clairval] (Léandre's valet). The final scene is a vaudeville sung by all of the characters. The music of the vaudeville is included at the end on pp. [45-48]. The library's copy of the libretto is bound with the libretto of Jean François Marmontel's comic opera "La fausse magie."

Etching and engraving of English actor David Garrick printed on December 1st, 1773. The design is attributed to N. Dance and was printed by British engraver and painter John Hall. The image surrounded by a detailed oval frame and two cherubs holding symbolic objects tied to drama and the theatre.