Miró, Joan, illus.

Benjamin Péret.  Au Paradis des fantômes.  (Paris): Collection «Un Divertissement» (Henri Parisot), 1938



12mo (6  7/8  x 5 in.; 175 x 127 mm).  1 drypoint with aquatint printed in colors on blue paper by Miró, printed by Roger Lacourière, text on blue paper printed by Impremerie des 2 Artisans.  Publisher's blue printed wrappers with title lettered with pictographic lettering, glassine cover.

Cramer 7

Copy 12 of 15 numbered copies on blue paper (of a whole edition of 124), with the etching numbered and signed by Miró.  Of the whole edition of 124, only the 15 numbered copies  and the 9 hors commerce copies, all on blue paper, were issued with the etching. A fine copy of one of Miró's earliest illustrated books and one of his most charming etchings.  Scarce.

Also included in the present lot is the very fine pen-and-ink drawing for the Surrealist lettering for the book's front cover (sheet size: 10 x 12  7/8  in.; 254 x 328 mm)  Although the identity of the artist of these pictographic letters has not been confirmed, it has been suggested they may have been executed by either  René Magritte, Yves Tanguy, Toyen, or Leonora Carrington (whose own La Dame ovale was published by Parisot in 1939).   The beautiful stylized lettering comprises many symbols dear to the surrealists: the key, the burning building, the umbrella, tears, etc. Also included is proof copy of the printing of the lettering.

A beautiful copy of one of the key examples of the surrealist livre d'artiste, accompanied by intriguing ancillary material.