Lettres d’Espagne
*Lettres d’Espagne*, published in 1944, marks a pivotal moment in Antoni Clavé's career and is among the most sought-after 'livres d'artiste' from the war years. The Catalan artist, having recently fled to Paris, found in Prosper Mérimée's texts the perfect opportunity to express his nostalgia and passion for Spanish culture. The 27 original lithographs burst with color and baroque energy, showcasing Clavé's legendary mastery of lithography. This specific copy is of museum-grade rarity: it is enriched with an original gouache by the master himself, as well as two complete suites of the lithographs. The combination of Mérimée's classic prose and Clavé's spirited imagery creates a visual spectacle that captures the Spanish soul in all its facets. For the discerning bibliophile, this copy represents the ultimate synthesis of unique artistry and high-end bookmaking.
Quantity
Mérimée, Prosper
Clavé, Antoni
Lettres d’Espagne
1944 | Parijs | Galatea
A museum-quality masterpiece: enriched with an original gouache by Clavé and two extra suites, including the rare suite with remarques.
*Lettres d’Espagne*, published in 1944, marks a pivotal moment in Antoni Clavé's career and is among the most sought-after 'livres d'artiste' from the war years. The Catalan artist, having recently fled to Paris, found in Prosper Mérimée's texts the perfect opportunity to express his nostalgia and passion for Spanish culture. The 27 original lithographs burst with color and baroque energy, showcasing Clavé's legendary mastery of lithography. This specific copy is of museum-grade rarity: it is enriched with an original gouache by the master himself, as well as two complete suites of the lithographs. The combination of Mérimée's classic prose and Clavé's spirited imagery creates a visual spectacle that captures the Spanish soul in all its facets. For the discerning bibliophile, this copy represents the ultimate synthesis of unique artistry and high-end bookmaking.
€2,850
Condition Report:
In-Depth Study
References & Bibliography
Format
In-folio (Folio) approx. 30 × 40 cm
Edition Particulars
One of the copies enriched with an original gouache and two suites.
Print Run
275
Copy Number
No. 16
Paper
Vélin
Product DETAIL
In this collection of letters, Prosper Mérimée describes his impressions of Spain during the 1830s. The texts provide a vivid portrait of Spanish customs and manners, ranging from the tragedy of the bullfight to the passion of flamenco dance. Mérimée observes with a keen eye for detail the landscapes, religious festivals, and daily life of the local population. The characters he encounters, from proud noblemen to mysterious gypsies, form the heart of his romantic narratives. Central to the work is the tension between the raw reality of the Iberian Peninsula and the dreams of the European traveler. The literary structure is anecdotal yet profound, weaving together Spain's history and folklore. The atmosphere of the texts is steeped in 19th-century Romanticism, perfectly aligning with Clavé's dramatic visual language.
Michaux, Henri · Bettencourt, Pierre
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A rare first edition of Arriver à se réveiller, written by Henri Michaux in the tremulous post-war years. The text unfolds as an inward journey toward lucidity, where sleep and waking mirror each other. Printed and published by Pierre Bettencourt in his own workshop, the edition’s small run preserves the work’s intimacy. The title-page vignette, a linocut by Bettencourt, sets a spare, rhythmic visual key that amplifies Michaux’s vigilant, vulnerable tone. This copy is handsomely bound in brown morocco with balsa boards by Miguet, a tactile nod to lightness under tension. For bibliophiles, it is an exemplary union of poetry, craft, and experiment. The volume embodies the independence of the post-war small press and Michaux’s radical sensitivity.
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Au rendez-vous allemand is one of the emblematic collections of Éluard’s wartime poetry. The book appeared in 1944 from Les Éditions de Minuit, the publishing house that, under the Occupation, became a moral landmark of the French literary Resistance. The volume gathers poems in which love, mourning, revolt and hope appear not as abstractions but as immediate necessities under German rule. The frontispiece, a portrait of the poet after Picasso, gives the book a powerful artistic signature: two voices of modern France, poet and artist, stand here in the same struggle. This is an ordinary, unnumbered copy, but signed by Éluard on the first page. That signature makes the book more than a Resistance document: it becomes a tangible witness to literary presence in a historically charged year. For the collector, it unites the clandestine aura of Minuit, Picasso’s name and Éluard’s own hand.
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Gracq, Julien · Bellmer, Hans
André Breton. Quelques aspects de l'écrivain.
A rare homage by Julien Gracq to André Breton, published by José Corti in a limited edition of 70 copies. This essay is both a powerful literary portrait and a visual tribute, thanks to Hans Bellmer’s iconic line portrait on the cover. Bellmer, known for his surrealist and psychosexual art, ties the book to the avant-garde movements of the 20th century. Gracq’s analysis is rigorous and insightful, reflecting his close engagement with Breton’s ideas. The collaboration between these two major figures and the fine print quality make this a coveted item for collectors of surrealist literature.