MARCEL DUCHAMP AND ANDRÉ BRETON

Property from the Collection of Carlos Alberto Cruz

MARCEL DUCHAMP AND ANDRÉ BRETON

LE SURRÉALISME EN 1947. PARIS: PIERRE A FEU / MAEGHT, 1947

Small 4to (9 ⅛ x 8 in.; 232 x 203 mm). Original illustrations by various artists as described below. Printed paper wrappers with photograph of female breast by Rémy Duval; some wear at edges and corners. Inner chemise covered in pink paper with composition of foam rubber breast and black velvet by Marcel Duchamp (assisted by Enrico Donati) on upper cover, printed label ("Prière de toucher") on lower cover; joints split. Outer chemise and slipcase covered in patterned paper, gilt lettering on spine of chemise, printed label on inside of upper cover; some wear and rubbing to extremities.

Please touch.

Copy 34 of 950 numbered copies (of a whole edition of 999).

Duchamp's celebrated extra cover for the deluxe edition of the catalogue for the landmark 1947 Surrealist exhibition held in Paris. The modified Readymade is a collage made of a pink foam rubber breast or "falsie" (no doubt purloined from Rrose Sélavy) mounted on a rough circle of black velvet on a pink cardboard chemise.

In addition to the striking Duchamp cover, the catalogue itself includes 24 original illustrations, including five color lithographs by Victor Brauner, Max Ernst, Jacques Hérold, Wifredo Lam, and Joan Miro; five etchings (one in color) by Hans Bellmer, Marcel Jean, Maria Martins, Yves Tanguy, and Dorothea Tanning; two woodcuts by Hans Arp; and 12 lithographs by Serge Brignoni, Alexander Calder, Bruno Capacci, Elizabeth van Damme, Julio de Diego, Enrico Donati, David Hare, Jacqueline Lamba, Matta, Kay Sage, Yves Tanguy and Toyen. 

REFERENCE:

Lebel 191; Schwarz, Complete Works 523