Lot n° 174
Estimation :
1500 - 2000
EUR
Result with fees
Result
: 12 006EUR
Jocelyne FRANCOIS.
Wheel fire. Zao Wou-Ki. Montpellier, Fata Morgana, 1971.
In-8 narrow, in sheets, with a filled cover.
First edition.
Limited edition of 250 numbered copies; one of the 50 first copies on arches (n° 1).
Superb original signed lithograph in colours by Zao Wou-Ki in the frontispiece, reserved for the first copies.
Copy of the publisher Claude Féraud, with an autograph letter from the author dated 22 June 1971.
It is enriched with the original model of the book as well as the correspondence addressed to the publisher by the artist and the author:
- 3 letters signed by Zao Wou-Ki, two of them autographs.
The artist announces the execution of the lithograph on February 1st: "One with 3 colours for lux and one with black and white for the ordinary edition, the way I had executed could be printed on the machine, it will be much cheaper. I hope you have already contacted Jacques Desjobert and given your indication about the prints. Even if you intend to print 50 proofs on a large margin as a print and signed, I would not mind (to reduce your expenses).
Upon receipt of the work, the publisher had obviously shown some concern about the lack of margin. He even asked the artist for a second illustration. Zao Wou-Ki replied with a categorical refusal on 9 March. In the last letter of June 12, there is a question of an error of justification on the part of the artist.
(2 autographed letters signed and one typed letter signed, Paris, February 1 - June 12, 1971. 3 pages in-4.)
- 14 autographed letters signed by the author and her companion
Marie-Claire Pichaud
Very interesting correspondence testifying to the elaboration of the book, imagined in December 1970 following a visit by Jocelyne François to the painter's studio through Vieira da Silva and Arpad Szenes. Various hazards and procrastinations, due in particular to the financial situation of the young publishing house, almost compromised the project. However, the tenacity of the author, aware of the value of Zao Wou-Ki's contribution, was able to overcome difficulties and misunderstandings: "I am not at all in favour of the cult of stars, as you can well imagine, and Zao Wou-
Ki is so far above that [...]. It will be necessary to adapt the paper to the painter and not the painter to the paper." (14 autograph letters signed, Paris, Saumanes, February 13, 1971 - ca. May 1972.)
A second copy of the book is attached, out of trade.
(Marie Minssieux-Chamonard, Catalogue raisonné des livres illustrés par Zao Wou-
Ki in Zao Wou-Ki, estampes et livres illustrés, BnF, 2008, p. 139.)
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