L'Aigle a Deux Tetes

[Paris]: Gallimard, 1946 First edition, review copy, with "S. P." (Service de Presse) printed in black to rear wrapper. Signed and inscribed by Cocteau on half-title page. Publisher's white wrappers, printed in black and red. Good or better, with a small closed tear to foot of spine, wrapper partially unglued at spine but holding, first few pages of book a bit loose, signs of a page excised after title page (likely a cancel leaf), and unopened pages. In its original glassine wrapper, with some toning to spine, chipping to spine ends, and light edgewear. With a yellow Gallimard promotional slip for L'Aigle a Deux Tetes laid in. Overall, a great copy. L'Aigle a Deux Tetes (English translation: "The Eagle with Two Heads") is a three-act play inspired by the separate real-life deaths of Ludwig II of Bavaria and the Empress Elisabeth of Austria. In the play, Stanislas, a young anarchist poet who had intended to assassinate the widowed Queen, staggers, injured, into her room. The Queen sees a similarity between the poet and the late King and decides to shelter him. Feelings develop between the Queen and poet, and, together, they try to outwit the court politicians. Cocteau directed a 1948 film version of the play, starring the original stage principals, Edwige Feuillère and Jean Marais. Jean Cocteau (1889 - 1963) was a French author, artist, and filmmaker, whose most famous works include the novel Les Enfants Terrible (1929), the play La Machine Infernale (1934), and the ballet Parade (1917), for which Cocteau collaborated with Picasso, Erik Satie, and other notable artists. A writer for the National Observer declared that, "of the artistic generation whose daring gave birth to Twentieth Century Art, Cocteau came closest to being a Renaissance man.". Signed by Author. 1st Edition. Original Wraps. Good.