Sims Reed Rare Books×

Histoire de Marie par Brassaï, avec une introduction par Henry Miller

Brassaï (Gyula Halasz)

Paris. Editions du Point du Jour. 1949
André Breton's copy with a presentation from Brassaï.

From the first edition limited to 2,626 copies, with this unnumbered copy on vélin des Papeteries de France.

From the library of André Breton, with a presentation from Brassaï to Breton on the colophon: 'Pour André Breton / Ces annonces faites par / Marie / Souvenir amical de / Brassai / Paris, vendredi treize, mois de / Marie, 1949'; the achevé d'imprimer gives the date of publication as 'le 30 Avril, 1949'.

Also included, loosely inserted, is the original invitation to the signing of the book by Brassai: 'Brassai signera / L'Histoire de Marie / à la Librairie de / l'Arc en Ciel / 17 rue de Sèvres / Samedi, le 18 Juin de 17-19h'.

Brassai, born Gyula Halasz in what is now Romania, was a prolific photographer who documented the seamier side of Parisian life. This collection of Brassai's poetry, introduced by his friend Henry Miller, demonstrates that he was more than that. Divided into three sections, 'Propos de Marie', 'Le Procès de Marie' and 'Repertoire des Mots-Clés de Marie', the poetry is decidedly surreal in tone.
[48 leaves; pp. 90, (i)]. 12mo. (165 x 128 mm). Leaf with publisher's device verso, leaf with calligraphic title recto and justification verso, six leaves with Henry Miller's 'Introduction' and Brassaï's verse, three leaves with 'Répertoire des Mots-Clés de Marie', two leaves with 'Table' and final leaf with achevé d'imprimer recto and 'Printed in France' verso. Original publisher's terracotta printed wrappers with reproduction of Brassai's manuscript title in black as titles to front cover and spine.
#22760