1947 · Paris
by Triolet, Elsa
Paris: Bordas, 1947. One of 2000 copies all on Lana pur fil paper, numbered, from a total issue of 2070. 8vo; handsomely rebound in 3/4 bordeaux morocco, marbled paper over boards, spine panelled, author and title in gilt, teg, original wrappers bound in. Each page illustrated with original colored lithographs by Raymond Peynet often with the text surround the images. The text was printed by Draeger Freres, the lithographs were pulled by Mourlot Freres. The opening illustrations are of Paris at Christmas with a Christmas tree, gifts, and skaters. The charming art work continues with French gendarmes directing traffic posted at the four corners of one page, elephants, diagonal lines of cafe et croissants, etc., all a wonderful evocation of Paris. Elsa Triolet (1896-1970) of Russian origin owes with her partner Louis Aragon she was a founding memeber of the Comite National des Ecrivains and worked on the clandestine Les Lettres francaises. Her later fiction (as this is) often has elements of fantasy and returns to the role of women in the Resistance. (Inventory #: 4720)