72. # AR PAUL ELUARD (1895-1952) Poetic Evidence. The habit of poetry Paris, G.L.M. 1937. Booklet of 16 pages, format in-16. Copy on pink and blue paper. Binding signed by Jean de Gonet, dated 2001. Iridescent semi-flexible emerald green calf. In the centre of the first board, a vertical strip of cut embossed blue calf with a laminated title; a riveted oval piece of ebony bearing the author's name in palladium. Sleeve lined with midnight blue nubuck; slipcase. First edition. Superb Jean de Gonet binding. Text of a lecture given in London on 24 June 1936 on the occasion of the Surrealist exhibition organised by Roland Penrose. In it, Paul Eluard develops his conception of poetry, ending his text as follows: "For more than a hundred years, poets have descended from the heights on which they believed themselves to be. They have taken to the streets, they have insulted their masters, they no longer have gods, they dare to kiss beauty and love on the lips, they have learnt the songs of revolt of the unhappy crowd and, without being put off, try to teach them their own. They don't mind the sarcasm and laughter, they're used to it, but now they know they speak for everyone. This copy is printed on two-colour coated paper, in different combinations: green and blue-grey; blue and pink; yellow and orange; orange and yellow; pink and blue; blue and yellow; yellow and blue; grey-blue and green. Provenance Private collection, France. Private collection, France (acquired from the latter).