Lot no. 139
VILLON (Jacques) - VALÉRY (Paul).
Les Bucoliques de Virgile.
Paris: Scripta & Picta, 1953. - One volume in-4, 376 x 278 : XXX pp., (1 f.), 126 pp., (5 ff.), printed cover; and 2 volumes large oblong folios. Blue box covered on boards and spine with a geometrical composition of grey, pink, green, salmon, beige, light blue, light green and mustard box, with the letter V on the first board, smooth spine, violet suede lining and endpapers, edges gilt on witnesses, cover and spine preserved, folder with blue box spine and overlapping bands, lined slipcase; the two volumes of suites are bound in blue half-box with bands and slipcase for one and in yellow half-buffle with bands and slipcase for the other (A. Lobstein 1990, the half-buffle binding is unsigned).
First edition of Paul Valéry's translation, set against the Latin text. It is illustrated with 43 original lithographs in colour by the painter Jacques VILLON (1875-1963).
As the colophon states: "This work was written by Paul Valéry during the years 1942-1944 for the "Scripta et Picta" Society to make a beautiful book. This book was compiled by Doctor A. Roudinesco. The images were drawn on stone in colour by Jacques Villon, who engraved each colour on a different stone in his own hand. Three hundred and twenty stones were used. The lithographs were printed by Célestin on Mourlot Frères presses.
The print run was limited to 269 copies, plus a few named copies reserved for key contributors.
This is one of the few nominative copies, here on japon, specially printed for Doctor A. Roudinesco, a great bibliophile and founder in 1935 of the publishing house "Scripta & Picta" which published this book.
A superb copy in mosaic binding by Lobstein, enriched separately in two large oblong folio volumes with the following items:
Volume in blue half calf with bands:
- tracing and enhanced proof signed by Villon,
- japon nacré proof of the portrait of Paul Valéry and an illustration, signed by the artist and stamped "Épreuve d'exposition",
- 13 original sketches and trial proofs, most of them signed, on various papers,
- 1 signed exhibition proof of two lithographs on japon nacré,
- 1 signed colour proof on vellum of the lithograph on pages 46-47, in a different state from that used in the book,
- 1 suite of signed colour lithographs on Japon nacré, including 5 in two states,
- 1 signed suite of black lithographs on Rives vellum, 5 of which in two states.
Bound in yellow half-buffle with wide bands:
- original drawing signed on tracing paper, study for the lithograph on pages 2-3,
- 1 suite of signed colour lithographs on Japon nacré, including 5 in two states,
- 1 suite of signed black lithographs on Rives vellum, 5 of which in two states. The proof of the third plate corresponding to the lithograph on pages 2-3 is missing.
In addition, framed separately, there are 7 original drawings, including 2 on tracing paper, and 3 watercolour proofs, as follows:
- Alexis. Ink and watercolour, signed lower right (250 x 510),
- Alexis. One ink and watercolour drawing and two watercolour proofs, signed.
- Tityre. Watercolour and gouache on engraved ground, signed (250 x 510),
- Landscape. Ink signed and watercolour proof signed,
- The City. Ink signed,
- Les Bucoliques. Two transfer tracings, inks, signed (accidents).
A superb copy and a rare set. Under the justification is Roudinesco's signature in pencil, which was preceded by a small text in her hand, which has been erased.
See original version (French) Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact organization
Books, Manuscripts and Comic books
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