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Avant Garde Catalogue
Explore rare avant-garde and surrealist books
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Breton, André · Yves Tanguy
De l’humour noir
This sharp meditation by Breton on black humor appears here as a 1937 Paris pamphlet from GLM, in its first trade edition. Issued with a special wrapper and title page, the text was first printed in the catalogue of the Exposition Internationale de Paris 1937. The copy bears the royal-blue wrapper illustrated by Yves Tanguy. It also includes a reproduction of Breton’s collage assembling the chief «masters of black humor». The typography is remarkably crisp, characteristic of GLM’s workshops. Slim yet pointed, the booklet crystallises a decisive moment in Surrealist theory. A scarce piece with equal literary and bibliophilic appeal.
Ill Book
€500

Breton, André
Légitime défense.
"Légitime défense" is a pivotal manifesto by the French surrealist poet and theorist André Breton. Published in September 1926, the work marks a significant turning point in the history of surrealism. It is a fierce defense of the surrealist movement against criticism, particularly from Pierre Naville, and simultaneously a radical reflection on the position of the intellectual in society. Breton defends the autonomy of the artist while also emphasizing the necessity of social and political engagement. This manifesto illustrates the tension and complex relationship between the artistic and political ideals that characterized the surrealist movement from its inception. It is a document of great historical value that exposes the internal struggles and ideological shifts within surrealism.
Book
€500

Hugnet, Georges
Le Droit de Varech
Le Droit de Varech is a scarce play by the surrealist poet-artist Georges Hugnet. Printed on alfa paper, this copy belongs to the small trade issue without illustrations. Its material restraint heightens the theatrical imagination, where figures step out of books and childhood dreams. Poetry, play and stagecraft intertwine with Hugnet’s characteristic lightness. For bibliophiles it is a telling artifact of interwar Parisian experimentation. This copy is further enhanced by an author’s signed presentation on the half-title and an original color etching, making it unique. The personal inscriptions tie the book to Hugnet’s circle. A lively witness to surrealist friendships.
Ill Book
€700

Messagier, Jean
Le grand défroissement
An exemplary *livre d’artiste* by Jean Messagier, issued by Éditions Fata Morgana in Montpellier on 14 June 1989, a large quarto of 28 pages. Each copy is hand-enriched by the artist with painted interventions, turning support and pigment into a single body. The publisher’s note speaks of seven interventions, while some descriptions count five—an instructive variance that underscores copy-to-copy individuality. The title is calligraphed by Messagier himself, highlighting the performative nature of the gesture. Printed on Arches and housed in a slipcase, the book protects an intimate encounter with the page. This deluxe tirage of thirty, numbered and signed, offers not illustration but a sequence of acts on paper. *Le grand défroissement* is painting as book.
Ill Book
€1,320

Laporte, Roger · Zao Wou-ki
Une migration suivi de Le Partenaire
This remarkable book, 'Une migration suivi de Le Partenaire', brings together the literary depth of Roger Laporte with the visual power of the Sino-French artist Zao Wou-ki. Published by the renowned French publishing house Fata Morgana, known for its carefully crafted books, it is a rare edition that explores the dialogue between poetry and abstract art. The frontispiece by Zao Wou-ki visually transforms the text and enriches the reading experience. This work represents a pinnacle in the collaboration between a contemporary writer and an influential painter. The addition of a preface by the poet René Char, who was himself closely associated with the Surrealist movement, adds an extra layer of cultural and historical significance. It is a beautiful example of how literary and artistic craftsmanship come together in a harmonious whole.
Ill Book
€1,250

Picabia, Francis
Unique eunuque.
A compact Dada edition where Picabia lets word and image spring from the same stroke. The tone is jagged and jeering; words collide, repeat and sabotage meaning. Two images, including a self-portrait, act as visual pranks that contradict the text. Tzara’s preface frames the mischief within the movement and primes the reader. The spare design lets the provocation flare. Dada as a mobile laboratory: quick, ironic, elusive.
Ill Book
€750

Dorgelès, Roland · Dufy, Raoul
Vacances forcées
"Vacances forcées" is an exceptional work presenting a unique interplay of literature and visual art. This book, which is the last illustrated publication by the renowned artist Raoul Dufy, offers an intimate glimpse into Roland Dorgelès' war years, told through the lens of his friendship with Dufy. It is not only a historical account of a tumultuous period but also a celebration of artistic collaboration and resilience. Dufy's vibrant watercolors, translated into beautiful woodcuts, capture the essence of Dorgelès' experiences, adding a deep visual layer to the text. This copy, from a limited edition and featuring a superior custom binding by Beenkens, represents a top-tier collector's item. The combination of its rarity, artistic quality, and historical significance makes it an indispensable acquisition. It is a tangible testament to friendship, art, and survival amidst wartime. The pristine condition of the pages and illustrations, along with intact signatures and fine provenance, reinforce its status as a top-tier collector's item for the serious collector. It offers not only an aesthetic experience but also a profound insight into the impact of war on individuals and their creative expression. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a work that is invaluable both literarily and artistically. It is a visually and substantively rich document that sheds light on the dark years of the war through the eyes of two of France's greatest artists and writers. Jacques Beltrand's meticulously executed woodcuts bring Dufy's watercolors to life, making each page a work of art in itself. This book represents a crucial moment in French art and literary history.
Ill Book
€2,350

Michaux, Henri
Vers la Complétudez
Scarce édition originale from GLM, austerely set and here luxuriously bound by Miguet in brown morocco with balsa-mosaic boards. One of the sixty tête copies on Arches vellum, numbered; this is no. 44. The writing presents Michaux’s late, focused voice moving toward an inner “completeness.” Provenance: library of Jacques Dauchez. A desirable copy uniting fine printing, top issue and a master binding.
Ill Book
€910

Butor, Michel · BALTAZAR JULIUS
Victor Hugo écartelé.
This exceptional edition of "Victor Hugo écartelé" represents a pinnacle of modern bibliophily, where the literary depth of Victor Hugo converges with the powerful artistic expression of Julius Baltazar. The book, distinguished by its imposing format and an extraordinarily rich, openwork binding by Renaud Vernier, is not merely a publication but a work of art in its own right. The visual dialogue between the text and the engravings creates an immersive experience that invites the reader to approach the complexity of Hugo's work from a new perspective. It is an object of great beauty and definite rarity, which explores and pushes the boundaries of traditional book design, and testifies to the ingenuity of modern bookbinding. The meticulous execution and exclusive materials underscore the artistic value of this unique copy, making it an indispensable piece for the discerning collector of illustrated books and modern art.
Ill Book
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Cyrano de Bergerac · Buffet, Bernard
Voyages fantastiques aux tats et Empires de la Lune et du Soleil
A landmark artists book pairing Cyranos visionary lunar and solar voyages with eighteen original drypoints by Bernard Buffet. Issued as loose sheets in wrapper, chemise and box. Strong, inky impressions underscore Buffets taut, ascetic line. Strictly limited edition; this copy well preserved.
Ill Book
€822
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