The 165 comedias sueltas held by the Special Collections Research Center at Syracuse University Libraries include playwrights from the Golden Age of Spanish literature: Agustín Moreto (33 titles) and Pedro Calderón de la Barca (13 titles), as well as some 18th-century dramatists, Luciano Francisco Comella (35 titles) and Gaspar Zavala Zamora (23 titles) among others. Six other titles are known translations from original works in Italian and French including plays by Carlo Goldoni, Pietro Metastasio, Pietro Napoli Signorelli, Apostolo Zeno, Antoine Houdar de La Motte, and Molière.

Many of the plays bearing no imprint are from the second half of the 1600s, the earliest dated ones are some of the Calderón titles printed in 1664. The majority of the collection, with the exception of one title (Noche de Troya, 1830), was printed in the 18th century. Comedias sueltas are examples of ephemera, printed matter that was produced quickly and cheaply, and this collection offers an excellent overview of the evolution of printing practices and spelling changes during Spain’s hand press period.

Several of the volumes were generously donated by Professor emeritus of Spanish, Harold G. Jones, who has been an advocate and supporter of the University and its community. To learn more about Professor Jones click here.