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Delphiques

Asse, Geneviève. Lecuire, Pierre

Paris. Editions des Livres de Pierre Lecuire. 2000
A presentation copy of Pierre Lecuire's beautiful book object 'Delphiques' illustrated by Geneviève Asse.

From the edition limited to 30 numbered copies on Chine, signed by Lecuire and Asse in pencil; this copy with a long presentation from Lecuire to a single additional leaf of laid paper similar in size to the book / leporello.

Lecuire's poetic presentation reads as follows: 'à mon ami Henry Bouillier qui s'est souvent déraltéré à 'LA FONTAINE DE CASTALIE.' / N'élève pas de monument à la goutte qui jette son éclat de pluie sur le rocher et emporte un filet liquide plus limpide qu'un pli. Ne dresse pas à sa rencontre un monument / de mains désertes. Un pied sur ce roseau ne franchira jamais les eaux sans âge des fleurves éternels. [a short passage in Greek follows]. xii.2000. P. L.'.

The engraved title in Greek is also by Geneviève Asse. The book was conceived and designed by Pierre Lecuire and the engravings were printed at atelier Georges Leblanc in Paris.

Henry Bouillier (1924 - 2014) was a school friend of Lecuire, a bibliophile, literary critic and editor at the NRF. As the presentation in 'Delphiques' indicates, Bouillier and Lecuire remained close throughout their lives.

'Le 7 poèmes en prose de Pierre Lecuire ... renvoient aux réalités fortes et poétiques du site et du phenomène delphiques. Selon un rhythme sobre, ils alternent avec les 7 'flèches gravées' de Geneviève Asse. Dans le texte sont insérés en grec des fragments de 7 poètes grecs anciens ... Ces 'citations' donnent une dimension intemporelle à l'hommage rendu au génie de la Grèce antique.' (From the prospectus for the book).

Lecuire's poems are as follows: I. Chemin de Delphes; II. L'Aurige; III. Fontaine de Castalie; IV. Pythie; V. Torche; VI. Roches Phédriade; VII. Poète.

The fragments used are by Alcman, Sappho, Hesiod, Orpheus, Lycophron, Empedocles and an anonymous poet.

Also included with this copy is the original prospectus for the book, a bifolium in the same format as the book with title to the first recto and publication details to the second recto and following verso.

[Livres de Pierre Lecuire 68].
[3 conjoined sheets + leaf with presentation + bifolium with prospectus]. Oblong folio. (65 x 485 mm). Leporello of 3 conjoined sheets of Chine folded into 18 sections: Leaf with engraved title, printed title with the pencil signatures of Asse and Lecuire and 7 poems by Lecuire illustrated with 7 drypoint engravings by Geneviève Asse, the verse and engravings alternating between blanks, leaf with list of fragments, final leaf with colophon and achevé d'imprimer; sheet size, unfolded: 2318 x 484 mm. Loose as issued in original printed wrappers in original hinged plexiglass box.
#47993