Pekař Jan Marhoul: román [The baker Jan Marhoul: a novel]

Prague: Odeon, 1929. Octavo (19.8 × 13.7 cm). Original decorative wrappers by Karel Teige; 134, [3] pp. This copy unnumbered, but signed and inscribed by the author and Toyen to Vitězslav Nezval. Very good or better; with very faint soil to wrappers. Third edition (but first illustrated) of the acclaimed novel by Vančura (1891-1942), an early member of the Devětsil avant-garde group and co-formulator of the Poetism movement. This edition was the first to feature the illustrations by Czech surrealist artist Toyen (Marie Cermínová, 1902-1980). An important, outstanding association copy, warmly inscribed by Vančura and Toyen to Vítězslav Nezval (1900-1958) in the year of publication, "for his passionate praise." Nezval was another leading light of Czech poetism and, later, surrealism, and an early member of Devětsil famous both for his energy as an organizer of the avant-garde and for his prolific output of highly lyrical and associative verse. Cover featured in Vloemans 2012 (no. 164). (Inventory #: P003904)