MATISSE (Henri) - CHARLES D'ORLÉANS. POEMS, handwritten and illustrated by Henri Matisse. [Paris], Teriade, Imp. Mourlot Frères, 25 February 1950). In-4° (410 x 271 mm). Long-grained green chagrin cold-stamped with fleur-de-lys and mosaic of the same fleur-de-lys in yellow morocco. Yellow velvet endpapers. Title on spine mosaic in yellow morocco. Cover and spine on boards, edges untrimmed except at head. Green half-chagrin jacket, slipcase (Annick Butré, 2001). 54 full-page colour lithographs by Henri Matisse, including 5 portraits and 48 variations on the fleur de lys. Numerous lithographed ornaments frame the text calligraphed by the artist (Duthuit 28). "With the Poèmes de Charles d'Orléans, begun in 1943 and published by Tériade in 1950, Matisse worked independently of any commission and in complete freedom, choosing to bring together handwritten texts, ornaments and illustrations. This highly original work was inspired by both medieval illumination and the school notebook. The poems are surrounded by scrolls and garlands. The arabesque handwritten text foreshadows the writing pages of Jazz" (Centre Pompidou, Matisse et le livre). "Dating to 1942, these calligraphic broadsides are among his earliest exercises in penmanship and prefigure the ornamental initials he designed for books of the 1940s as well as the handwritten text of Jazz [?] He wanted Charles d'Orléans to be known as a national poet in whose verse ran royal blood [...]After the war, the book could still be read as a patriotic document steeped in history" (John Bidwell, Graphic passion, Matisse and the book arts, New York, The Morgan library & museum, 2015, n°41). Limited edition of 1230 numbered copies on Arches vellum, all signed by Matisse at the justification. Copy no. 728, acquired in sheets and entrusted in 2001 to Annick Butré, who executed a binding playing with Matisse's fleurs-de-lis.