Les Pélican
Laurens. Radiguet, Raymond
Paris. Editions de la Galerie Simon (Kahnweiler). 1921
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One of the most beautiful and elegant of Kahnweiler's illustrated books.
From the edition limited to 112 numbered copies signed by the artist and author, with this one of 90 on Hollande; Radiguet's drama is illustrated with seven etchings by Laurens including that for the wrapper.
' ... Laurens enjoyed considerable fame in his lifetime as a sculptor, draftsman, and book illustrator. Kahnweiler, who considered Laurens the greatest sculptor of his era, commissioned him to try his hand at printmaking for the first time with this 1921 volume. Les Pélican was a satirical play by the precocious and short-lived writer Raymond Radiguet. Laurens' whimsical, cubist illustrations capture the absurdist tone of the play.' (Artists' Books in the Modern Era 1870 - 2000: The Reva and David Logan Collection of Illustrated Books).
[Logan Collection 27; The Artist and the Book 156; From Manet to Hockney 62; Castleman 174].
From the edition limited to 112 numbered copies signed by the artist and author, with this one of 90 on Hollande; Radiguet's drama is illustrated with seven etchings by Laurens including that for the wrapper.
' ... Laurens enjoyed considerable fame in his lifetime as a sculptor, draftsman, and book illustrator. Kahnweiler, who considered Laurens the greatest sculptor of his era, commissioned him to try his hand at printmaking for the first time with this 1921 volume. Les Pélican was a satirical play by the precocious and short-lived writer Raymond Radiguet. Laurens' whimsical, cubist illustrations capture the absurdist tone of the play.' (Artists' Books in the Modern Era 1870 - 2000: The Reva and David Logan Collection of Illustrated Books).
[Logan Collection 27; The Artist and the Book 156; From Manet to Hockney 62; Castleman 174].
[14 unnumbered leaves]. Folio. (326 x 238 mm). Half-title with dramatis personae verso, printed title in red and black with the woodcut vignette designed by Derain, leaf with 'Personnages' and vignette etching by Laurens as tail-piece, nine leaves with Acte Première - Acte Deuxième of Radiguet's drama illustrated with 5 etchings by Laurens, two full-page, final leaf with justification and achevé d'imprimer recto. Original publisher's printed wrappers with titles and Laurens' etching to front cover, later marbled board protective box with title label to spine.
#46116
