MAC ORLAN (Pierre). The Negro Leonard and Master Jean Mullin. April 1920. Manuscript of [1]-88 anopisthograph ff. Large in-8, mounted on tabs, bradel marbled paper boards, gilt head (A. J. Gonon). Complete autograph manuscript signed and dated. Abundantly corrected, this first draft manuscript includes two drawings by Mac Orlan: a vignette in ink and coloured pencil on the first page depicting the two protagonists of the book and a page of sketches in black ink and red pencil on the verso of f. 32. Antonin Artaud described this fantasy novel, published in December 1920, as "a fascinating stamp of almost logical unreality" in his article "Mac Orlan et le roman d'aventure" (Demain, no. 85, 1921). The manuscript was a gift from the author to Jean-Gabriel Daragnès, with this autograph signed letter: À Gabriel Daragnès, pour l'artiste et pour l'ami en témoignage d'affection profonde, Pierre Mac Orlan (reproduced as a dedication in the printed edition). The volume bears the Daragnès bookplate. This manuscript appeared in the exhibition organised for Pierre Mac Orlan's 80th birthday at the BCU in Lausanne, from 8 December 1962 to 12 January 1963, under No. 53 (catalogue enclosed). The printed work is enclosed: Le Nègre Léonard et Maître Jean Mullin. Paris, NRF, 1920. Small in-4, paperback. Published by the NRF a few days after the original illustrated by Chas Laborde. One of 125 first copies reprinted on vergé pur fil, this one printed for M. A. Porché. Discharge on the second cover.