Lot n° 142
Estimation :
2000 - 3000
EUR
Result with fees
Result
: 2 780EUR
Robert DESNOS.
Les Sans Cou. Etchings by André Masson. Paris, 1934.
Small in-4, paperback.
First edition, printed in an edition of 113 copies.
One of 10 copies on Navarre-coloured vellum paper including the two etchings by Masson. The copy is neither numbered nor signed by the poet and the painter - probably the one sent to Lucienne Salacrou (cf. attached letter described below).
The illustration includes two large original etchings by André Masson.
The book, with a format and layout very similar to those of Daniel Henry Kahnweiler's editions, was edited - and probably financed - by Armand Salacrou, a close friend of Desnos. (Kahnweiler had published in 1924 Le Casseur d'assiettes by Salacrou and, in 1926, C'est les bottes de 7 lieues by Desnos, illustrated with etchings by Masson.)
Enclosed is a long and famous letter from Robert Desnos addressed to his patron and friend
Armand Salacrou.
"Les Sans Cous are published and signed", he announces at the outset, explaining to Salacrou that he has not yet sent him his copy, but that he has sent one to his wife Lucienne, "so that you can see how successful it is. I am extremely happy and grateful to you for this joy". (This is probably the present copy, unsigned and unwarranted, offered as a witness to the result - awaiting the promised "good" copy.)
He reports having met the Fraenkel's at the Masson exhibition at the Kahnweiler gallery, "a great thing, a date for him. It is a crossroads of his inspiration. There are paintings there whose beauty cannot be imagined. I am not talking about the etchings in my book, which are among the most beautiful. By the way, I wish you would tell me to whom you wish me to send copies of the books." Then he received Masson for lunch the day before.
He then mentions his publicity work on behalf of products belonging to Armand Salacrou: "Yesterday I recorded the texts "Marie Rose" with Carpentier. I would like you to hear them. I took it upon myself, given the modest difference in price (about a hundred francs and even less, I think) to record six of them.
1º - The doctor.
2nd - The fine comb (ah vous dirai-je maman) 3rd - The King of Yvetot (I think I have lice under my crown) 4th - The train (ah vous dirai-je maman) 5th - Berenice's hair - Werther's moonlight 6th - The Eskimo - Marie Rose's cannon on Frère Jacques
I think you're in for a pleasant surprise. Lastly, I re-recorded "worming the moon" for 12 ½ on Thursday and Sunday. Very simple with "The Soup" bugle call at the end.
I think it's good. [...]"
He was worried about an upcoming advertising battle and asked Salacrou to decide how many ads for the Marie Rose; if he wanted only four, let him choose from among those recorded.
In 1932, Salacrou had had Robert Desnos hired by Paul Deharme, the head of the Information et Publicité advertising agency, which held a monopoly on "advertisements" on the main commercial stations. Salacrou was the owner of the pharmaceutical products developed by his father, whose Marie Rose against lice made him a fortune - thanks to the radio advertisements and slogans created by Robert Desnos with Alejo Carpentier. He also produced, with equal success, the deworming product Lune or the Vin de Frileuse.
Desnos is said to have invented more than a hundred advertising slogans.
My orders
Sale information
Sales conditions
Return to catalogue