Sims Reed Rare Books×

Pantagruel. Les Horribles et Espouvantables Faictz et Prouesses du Très Renommé Pantagruel, Roy des Dipsodes, Fils du Grand Géant Gargantua

Derain, André. Nasier, Alcofrybas (Pseud. of François Rabelais)

Paris. Albert Skira. 1943
André Derain's superb woodcuts - the only colour illustrations he made for a book - for François Rabelais' 'Pantagruel'.

From the edition limited to 275 numbered copies, with this one of 200 ordinary examples on vélin d'Arches signed by Derain.

André Derain's only book illustrations printed in colour and an outstanding example of the unusual process of polychrome printing from single blocks. Roger Lacourière, usually an intaglio printer, was so intrigued by the proposed process for Derain's illustrations that he collaborated with Derain in their production. The printing took two years in the special studio that Lacourière had established.

'Commissioned by the publisher Albert Skira in 1941, Derain worked for 3 years to produce the illustrations, co-operating with Lacourière and developing a novel printing process whereby the wooden blocks were inked in several colours simultaneously rather than the usual method of a separate block for each colour.' (From Manet to Hockney).

[From Manet to Hockney 111; The Artist and the Book 81; Logan 194]
pp. 187, (ii), (i), (i). Folio. (348 x 284 mm). Half-title with large woodcut frontispiece verso, printed title in burgundy and black with large colour woodcut vignette and dedicatory verse verso, Rabelais' prologue and text illustrated with 179 colour printed woodcuts, including frontispiece, initials and ornamental tail-pieces, by André Derain; the woodcuts were printed by Roger Lacourière. Loose as issued in original publisher's wrappers with label to front cover, original parchment-backed chemise with label to spine and slipcase.
#47438

Other Items

A good unopened copy of Georges Gabory's erotic verse illustrated by André Derain.
Derain, André. Gabory, GeorgesLa Cassette de Plomb...1920
£1,250
Établissements Nicolas. Maison fondée en 1822...
 
£125
NicolasÉtablissements Nicolas. Maison fondée...1933
Établissements Nicolas. Maison fondée en 1822...
 
£125
NicolasÉtablissements Nicolas. Maison fondée...1938
Les Fleurs du Mal
From the edition limited to 500 numbered copies, with this one of 26 from the édition de tête on Japon Impérial with five planches refusées (in three states), an original signed drawing for one of the plates and two additional suites of the plates, e...
£2,500
Chimot, Edouard. Baudelaire, CharlesLes Fleurs du Mal1941
La Belle-Enfant ou l'Amour à Quarante...
A very good unsophisticated copy of 'La Belle-Enfant ou l'Amour à Quarante Ans' with Raoul Dufy's illustrations for Eugène Montfort's text.
£2,500
Dufy, Raoul. Montfort, EugèneLa Belle-Enfant ou l'Amour...1930
Pasiphaé, Chant de Minos. (Les Crétois)
A superb example of Henri Matisse's 'Pasiphaé' with the original cover in excellent condition.
£17,500
Matisse, Henri. Montherlant, Henri dePasiphaé, Chant de Minos...1944
Le Chef-d'Oeuvre Inconnu
Picasso's collaboration with Ambroise Vollard, his illustrations for Balzac's protean novella.
£22,500
Picasso, Pablo. Balzac, Honoré deLe Chef-d'Oeuvre Inconnu1931
Visions de Danse
A very good copy with additional original drawings, suites and two of the original printing plates.
£4,250
Lobel-riche, Alméry. Billy, AndréVisions de Danse1949
La Fin du Monde filmée par...
Fernand Léger's 'La Fin du Monde.
£2,250
Léger, Fernand. Cendrars, BlaiseLa Fin du Monde...1919
L'Enragé
The first edition of Jean Paulhan's large format critical study with stunning reproductions and original work by Fautrier.
£6,500
Fautrier, Jean. Paulhan, JeanL'Enragé1949