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Four Signed Letters [ALS/TLS] with Original Pencil Drawing, 1920-21

Four Signed Letters [ALS/TLS] with Original Pencil Drawing, 1920-21 by MAGRITTE, RENÉ

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$20,000.00
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Seller: The Manhattan Rare Book Company
Title
Four Signed Letters [ALS/TLS] with Original Pencil Drawing, 1920-21
Author
MAGRITTE, RENÉ
Seller
The Manhattan Rare Book Company (United States)
Condition
Fine
Description
Brussels: n.p., 1921. First edition. Custom box. Fine. EARLY CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN MAGRITTE AND HIS GOOD FRIEND, PAINTER AND POET PIERRE-LOUIS FLOUQUET, WITH PERSONAL COMMENTS ON LIFE AND ART. WITH ORIGINAL PENCIL DRAWING BY MAGRITTE. Having met at the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Brussels, René Magritte (1898-1967) and Pierre-Louis Flouquet (1900-1967) shared a studio on the Rue de Alexiens and later exhibited together at the short-lived Centre d'Art founded in December 1919. In 1920, Flouquet undertook his military service in France, and Magritte would write regularly to keep up his friend's morale. In 1927- having worked so closely as to render many of their works form this period indistinguishable-the two men grew somewhat apart, with Magritte turning sharply towards Surrealism while Flouquet moved towards figurative art. The present letters thus fill a gap in the important period of correspondence before his rift with Flouquet and his pivotal development of a Surrealist aesthetic.Included with the four letters is a pencil sketch by Magritte depicting two girls with their backs to the viewer, both wearing hats. It seems probably that this pencil study is the only remaining trace of a larger work Magritte had envisaged but did not complete (Whitfield, p. 605). On 30 September 1921, he writes to Flouquet: "je vais commencer tantot un grand tableau auquel je pense depuis longtemps orgue de barbarie dans la rue avec femmes mouchoirs vermillion, vent qui la font aller, enfants qui dansent, dautres qui regardent, badauds, arbres, maisons, soleil!" [Soon I will start a large picture that I have been thinking of for a long time: a barrel organ in the street with women in vermillion head scarves, a blustering wind, dancing children, others looking on, bystanders, trees, houses, sun!] (Sylvester, pp. 28-29). The two girls could likely have been the spectators. Not only are both faces obscured, but the delineation of their covered heads is noticeably scarce-representing an early gesture towards what would later form major motifs in Magritte's iconic style, as manifested in such masterpieces asNot to Be Reproduced (1937), The Son of Man (1946) and Décalcomanie (1966): simplicity, permanence and identity.Provenance: Pierre-Louis Flouquet; Estate of Pierre-Louis Flouquet, sold to private collection; public sale Antoine Jacobs, Brussels, 23 March 2013, Lots Nos. 151-53, from a private collection; Ronny Van de Velde, Antwerp.References:Sylvester, David (ed.), René Magritte: catalogue raisonné, 6 vols. (Antwerp: Mercatofonds, 1992-2012), I: Oil Paintings, 1916-1930, ed. David Sylvester and Sarah Whitfield (1992)Whitfield, Sarah, "Unpublished Letters from René Magritte to Pierre Flouquet: 1920-21", Burlington Magazine 155 (2013), 602-05MAGRITTE, RENÉ. Four Signed Letters [ALS/TLS] with Original Pencil Drawing, comprising:1. Typed Letter Signed [TLS] to "Mon Vieux" and signed in ink "René", 22 March 1920. One page on one leaf (280 x 224 mm). Enumeration of 12 more or less comical recommendations and remarks, including: "7º Faire une toile épatante" [Make a stunning canvas], "8º Ma literature commence à me faire défaut" [My books are beginning to fail me"] and the final, twelfth item "18º Ecris moi de tes nouvelles le plus souvent possible" [Write to me with your news as soon as possible]. Usually folds, stain on extreme right edge not affecting text.2. Typed Letter Signed [TLS] to "Cher Ami" and signed in ink "René", 23 March 1920. One page on half a leaf (140 x 214 mm). With date ("Mardi à 6h½" [Tuesday at 6:30]) and post-script in ink from Magritte. An instance of Magritte attempting to lift Flouquet's spirits regarding his military service with words of encouragement, "je reçois ta deuxieme lettre qui me fait baeucoup de plaisir, mais vois-tu il faut être fort, accepter l'inévitable et cultiver ta volonté." [I received your second letter which pleases me very much, but do you see it is necessary to be strong, accept the inevitable and marshal your willpower], and "je crois bien y arriver aussi et je ne doute pas un instant de toi" [I very much believe that you can do it too and I do not doubt you for a moment]. Centre fold, small tear at bottom margin not affecting text. 3. Typed Letter Signed [TLS] to "Cher Pierre" and signed in pencil "René", 19 April 1920. One page on one leaf (217 x 137 mm), on Magritte's letterhead: "René Magritte | Artiste Peintre | Bruxelles, 37, R. de Potter." Report from Magritte following his tonsillectomy, "L'operation est tres douloureuse mais les jours qui la suivent le sont encore plus" [The operation was very painful but the following day even more so]; and relates lurid anecdotes from a Cézanne biography he recently read (possibly Ambroise Vollard, Paul Cézanne (1919)), "Lors que Cézanne recevait un ami, ceux discutaient si fort que les pompiers et les flics de AIX., accouraient [...] Quand pourons nous faire la meme chose?" [When Cézanne received a friend, they were debating so loudly that the Aix[-en-Provence] firefighters and cops came running up [...] When can we do the same?]. Centre fold, otherwise fine.4. Autograph Letter Signed [ALS] to "Cher Pierre" and signed "René", 1921. One page on one leaf (217 x 137 mm), on Magritte's father's letterhead: "L[éopold] Magritte | Industriel | Téléphone : BRUXELLES 92,28 | BRUXELLES, LE......1921 | 16, Avenue du Boulevard". Update on goings-on in the Brussels art scene: "et pour que le Soir en a fait une critique comme celle que je t'envoi il faut vraiment que on soit fort" [for Le Soir to write a review like the one I am sending you, we need to be very strong]. Usual folds, two holes (hole punched?) on left margin not affecting text.5. Deux fillettes, en robes, de dos, c. 1920. Pencil on tracing paper, 190 x 145 mm. Signed with his cipher "MR". Very mild creasing, otherwise fine.Transcriptions with Translations:Spelling and punctuation have been preserved.1. TLS, 22 March 1920Mon Vieu{deleted: x},1º Il faut demander une permission de 15 jours Histoire de v'nir d'ballader par ici.2º Ne pas trouver l'exercise dur s'il ne l'est pas.3º A l'ambulance si leservice est dur.4º Une Viole rurale surine en cefmoment "Le comte de Luxembourg"5º Envoyer mes amitiés à C-Rampon6º De la métode dans tout meme dous'qu'on s'emm[erde]7º Faire une toile épatante;8º Ma literature commence `à me faire défaut.9º Nous sommes allé entendre SPELEAS ET MELISANDE " avec Bourgeois; c'est ce que j'ai entendu DE PLUS BEAU. Mercredi à 7 H ½ j'y retourne pendant ce que tu t'amuseras a "jouer soldat"10º Achête "L'action d'art" nº6 critique du salon des indépendants11º Enfin tache d'inqulquer si possible des principes humains a tes pauvres compagnons et attention pas de blagues! (Conseils du DUBOIS)18º Ecris moi de tes nouvelles le plus souvent que possible et Fixemoi un jour Ous' quon pourrait sortir avec ou sans Rampon à Cambrai.Salut in de chambre à coucher{ink: René}__________________________[My old friend,Nº 1 It is necessary to request permission in order to come and stroll around here.Nº 2 Do not find the exercise difficult if it is not.Nº 3 To the ambulance if the service is hard.Nº 4 A rural [viola/assault] currently [plays/strikes] "The count of Luxembourg"Nº 5 To send my regards to C. RamponNº 6 On the method in all cases [?even where we are bored]Nº 7 Make a stunning canvasNº 8 My books are beginning to fail me.Nº 9 We went to listen to SPELEAS AND MELISANDE [Pelléas and Melisandre] together with [Pierre] Bourgeois: it is the MOST BEAUTIFUL I have heard. Wednesday at 7:30 I will return there while you enjoy "playing soldier"Nº 10 Buy "L'action d'art" nº6 critic of the Salon of IndependentsNº 11 Finally try to install humane principals in your poor companions if possible and pay no attention to jokes! (Advice from DUBOIS)Nº 18 Write to me as soon as possible with your news and fix me a date when we could go out with or without Rampon to Cambrai.Hello in the bedroom,René]2. TLS, 23 March 1920{ink: Mardi à 6h½ -}Cher ami,je reçois ta deuxieme lettre qui me fait baeucoup de plaisir, mais vois-tu il faut être fort, accepter l'inévitable et cultiver ta volonté.J'espére bien que ta lettre m'annoncera ta soumission aux forces matérielles et la victoire de ton cerveau sur tes sentiments"tu penseras sans doute que c{deleted: 'es}e n'est pas mon cas, mais qu'importe je crois bien y arriver aussi {deleted: c}et je ne doute pas un instant de toi.La dactylographe de chez Declerq t'envoit ses pensées amicales.Je t'enverrai le chevalet lundi prochain, il est actuellement chez mon client et ne peut le déranger avant lundi.Compliments imbéciles à ton charcutier et ton dessin ateur debruxelles.et pour toi la plus jolie pen...sée!{ink: René- En attendant un portrait qui me fait défaut actuellement voici un autre!}__________________________[Dear friend,I received your second letter which please me very much, but do you see it is necessary to be strong, accept the inevitable and marshal your willpower.I do hope that your letter will announce your submission to material forces and the victory of your brain over your emotions-you will no doubt think that this is not the case with me, but regardless I very much believe that you can do it too and I do not doubt you for a moment.The typist at Declerq's office sends you her regards.I will send you the easel next Monday, it is currently at my client's and can't disturb him before Monday.Imbecile compliments to your butcher and your designed in Brussels.and for you the best regard!René- While waiting for a portrait that I am currently missing, here is another one!]3. TLS, 19 April 1920{Letterhead: René Magritte Bruxelles, 37, R. de Potter.Artiste Peintre}Vendredi, Cher Pierre,j'ai ete opéré vendredi dernier et voila aujourd'hui seulement qu'il m'est possible de t'écrire avec calme et dignité!L'operation est tres douloureuse mais les jours qui la suivent le sont encore plus, mais enfin je suis débarasse des ces amidales em[merdantes] Hier je lisais la vie de Cezanne; et lorseque un bourgeois qu'il haissait entre pharanthese, lui demandait avec quoi il peignait ses fonds, Cezannes répondait: "Avec de la M[erde]." Lors que Cézanne recevait un ami, ceux discutaient si fort que les pompiers et les flics de AIX., accouraient les croyant au feu, alors que c'etait une fumée de pipe qui s'échapait de la fenétre, les autres à un assassinat, tellement il gueul,.Quand pourons nous faire la meme chose?Esperons que ce seras bientot;Et tu buches ty? J'ai recu ta letter avec croquis lieutenante qui me parrait bien. Le centre d'art est creve{deleted: r} depuis 2 ou 3 semaines, je ne crois pas te l'avoir dis?Je t'écrirai desormais tous les vendredis!Mes meilleurs amitiés{pencil: René}__________________________Dear Pierre,I was operated on last Friday and it is only today that I can write to you with peace and dignity!The operation was very painful but the following day even more so, but I am finally rid of those bothersome friends.Yesterday I was reading the life of Cézanne; and when a bourgeois whom he hated between parentheses, asked him what he painted his backgrounds with, Cézanne replied: "With S[hit]." When Cézanne received a friend, they were debating so loudly that the Aix[-en-Provence] firefighters and cops came running up, thinking there were a fire, when it was only pipe smoke escaping from the window, the others an assassination, he was shouting so much.When can we do the same?Hopefully it will be soon;And are you drinking there? I received your letter with the lieutenant sketch which looks good to me.The Centre d'Art has been dead for 2 or 3 weeks, I don't think I've told you?From now on I'll write to you every Friday!My best wishes,René4. ALS, 1921{Letterhead: L. MagritteIndustriel BRUXELLES, LE..................1921.Téléphone : BRUXELLES 92,28 16, Avenue du Boulevard}jeudi,Cher Pierre,Bourgeois à donné une conference Mardi, et pour que le Soir en a fait une critique comme celle que je t'envoi il faut vraiment que on soit fort.Et c'etait tres bien en effet.J'espere bientot te voir et à part ça comment ça va?René__________________________[Dear Pierre,[Pierre] Bourgeois have a conference on Tuesday, and for Le Soir to write a review like the one I am sending you, we need to be very strong.And it was very good indeed.I hope to see you soon and apart from that how are you?René].
Printer's Choice, A Selection of American Press Books, 1968-1978, Catalogue of an Exhibition Held at the Grolier Club, New York, December 19, 1978-February 3, 1979

Printer's Choice, A Selection of American Press Books, 1968-1978, Catalogue of an Exhibition Held at the Grolier Club, New York, December 19, 1978-February 3, 1979 by Fine, Ruth E. and Matheson, William (Selection of Books and Press Histories); Taylor, W. Thomas (Bibliographical Descriptions and Notes)

5 to 14 days for delivery
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$248.00
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Seller: Swan's Fine Books
Title
Printer's Choice, A Selection of American Press Books, 1968-1978, Catalogue of an Exhibition Held at the Grolier Club, New York, December 19, 1978-February 3, 1979
Author
Fine, Ruth E. and Matheson, William (Selection of Books and Press Histories); Taylor, W. Thomas (Bibliographical Descriptions and Notes)
Seller
Swan's Fine Books (United States)
Condition
Near Fine
Description
Austin: W. Thomas Taylor [Designed and Printed by David Holman at the Wind River Press], 1983. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine. One of 325 copies, folio size, 100 pp. A catalogue published in connection with an exhibition held at the Grolier Club to explore and celebrate the then-current state of fine press printing in America; as is stated in the Introduction, "a primary goal of the exhibition was to feature a selection of lesser-known and younger printers - to learn what they are doing, and why and how they are doing it". The exhibition finally comprised 41 different presses showing 100 of their works; presses which include The Allen Press, Arion Press, Bird & Bull, David R. Godine, Heron, Plantin, Zephyrus, and many more. A lovely catalogue which informs us about the individual presses while showcasing some of their best work. ___DESCRIPTION: Linen cloth boards in varying shades of ivory, gold and mauve, paper spine label with brown lettering, brown laid paper endpapers, title page in black and brown, entry numbers and names of each press in brown, eight sample pages bound in, a 12-page section, "Printers at Their Work" showing a selection of the printers with their presses in black and white photographs; Spectrum & Weiss types on Rives Heavyweight paper, folio size (14.5" by 10.25"), pagination: [i]-xvi, divisional title [xvii], blank [xviii], Printers at Their Work [xix-xxx], 31-67 includes an Index, blank [68], Colophon [69], blank [70]. ___CONDITION: Overall near fine, with a strong, square text block, solid hinges, the corners gently bumped but not rubbed, the interior is clean and bright, and it is entirely free of prior owner markings; a few light spots of foxing to the natural linen front board and the aforementioned gently bumped corners, else fine. ___POSTAGE: Please note that this is a large and heavy volume and therefore additional postage may apply; we are happy to ship at cost for both domestic and international orders, please inquire for details. ___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help.
Giovanni and the Other Children Who Have Made Stories

Giovanni and the Other Children Who Have Made Stories by Burnett, Frances Hodgson; Birch, Reginald B. (Illustrations)

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$110.00
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Seller: Swan's Fine Books
Title
Giovanni and the Other Children Who Have Made Stories
Author
Burnett, Frances Hodgson; Birch, Reginald B. (Illustrations)
Seller
Swan's Fine Books (United States)
Condition
Near fine
Description
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1892. First Edition. Hardcover. Near fine. Birch, Reginald B.. First US edition, octavo size, 224 pp. The work of Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849-1924) captured the imaginations of readers, with her enduring novels such as "The Secret Garden" and "Sara Crewe"; this collection of stories for children demonstrates her adeptness at weaving tales filled with colourful characters and scenery. Illustrating this first US edition is Reginald B. Birch (1856-1943), with energetic and detailed line drawings; Birch was a prolific artist and is perhaps best known for illustrating another of Burnett's books, "Little Lord Fauntleroy". ___DESCRIPTION: Full green cloth, black lettering and illustration in black, purple, and gilt on the front board, gilt lettering on the spine, brown coated endpapers, tissue-guarded frontispiece a line drawing in black by Reginald Birch, full-page line drawings in black by Birch throughout; octavo size (8.5" by 7"), pagination: [i-vii] viii [ix] x [xi-xii] [1] 2-193 [194-212]. ___CONDITION: Volume is near fine, with clean boards, a strong, square text block with solid hinges, the interior is clean and bright, and entirely free of prior owner markings; some bumping with minor rubbing to the head and tail of the spine, edges of the board, and corners, spine is very slightly cocked; overall a lovely, near fine example. ___CITATION: BAL no. 2082. ___POSTAGE:  International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details. ___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help.
City Culture and the Madrigal at Venice

City Culture and the Madrigal at Venice by Feldman, Martha

5 to 14 days for delivery
Standard Shipping: $1.75
Details
$110.00
( US$)
Seller: Swan's Fine Books
Title
City Culture and the Madrigal at Venice
Author
Feldman, Martha
Seller
Swan's Fine Books (United States)
Condition
Fine
Description
Berkeley: University of California Press, 1995. First Edition. Hardcover. Fine/fine. First printing, quarto size, 507 pp. For any student of the history of Venice or the madrigal form, this scholarly work is indispensible to have a thorough understanding of such in medieval Venetian culture. ___DESCRIPTION: Bound in full green cloth over boards, gold lettering stamped onto the spine, endpapers a fascimile of an antique map of Venice, book replete with reproductions of photographs and maps, charts, and with extensive footnotes; quarto size (10 1/8" by 7"), pagination: [i-vii] viii-xxxi [1, blank] [1-2] 3-473 [1, blank] [1, colophon]. Dust jacket of green with white lettering, illustration on front panel and spine, review blurbs on back panel, summary of book on both flaps, short author bio on back flap, the jacket is unclipped and is unpriced. ___CONDITION: Volume is fine overall, with clean boards, straight corners without rubbing, a strong, square text block with solid hinges, the interior is clean and bright, and entirely free of prior owner markings; a line of offsetting from the glue at both hinges else fine. Dust jacket also fine, clean, entirely without tears, with a modicum of edgewear, unclipped and unpriced. ___POSTAGE: International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details. ___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help.
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Evidence by Knowlton Danderine Company

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$45.00
( EU VAT US$0)
Seller: ZH BOOKS
Title
Evidence
Author
Knowlton Danderine Company
Seller
ZH BOOKS (United States)
Condition
Very good
Description
Chicago, Ill / Wheeling, W. Va: Knowlton Danderine Co., 1910. Very good. First edition presumed, n. d. (beginning of the 20th century); 5 x 3; pp. 2-24; pictorial self-wraps; illustrated with drawings and from photographs; spot to lower margin (not affecting redability); a few mild creases; in about very good condition. Marketed as: "A tonic, to beautify the hair...for men, women, and the children..." - Danderine was first introduced to the public around 1895. In its early years, it would become known for celebrity endorsements, including those of the famous opera singer Miss Jessie Bartlett Davis, as well as proprietor Elias W. Knowlton’s own little daughter, Frances Marie (featured in the current booklet). Most advertising material, as is the case here, showed young girls and women with floor-length, wavy hair (frankly, quite creepy looking). During this period, the Danderine slogan was "Danderine Grows Hair and We Can Prove It!" The booklet also described several other Danderine products, including Danderine Toilet Soap, Danderine Massage Cream, etc.
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Solnyshko, Pokazhis'! Krasnoe, Snariadis'! Russkie Narodnye Detskie Skorogovorki, Schitalki, Zaklichki, Igry, Prigovorki by [compiled by] Naumenko, G.

7 to 14 days for delivery
Standard Shipping: $3.00
Details
$25.00
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Seller: ZH BOOKS
Title
Solnyshko, Pokazhis'! Krasnoe, Snariadis'! Russkie Narodnye Detskie Skorogovorki, Schitalki, Zaklichki, Igry, Prigovorki
Author
[compiled by] Naumenko, G.
Seller
ZH BOOKS (United States)
Description
Moscow: Detskaia Literatura, 1977. First edition; 5 1/2 x 8 1/2; pp. 3-41, [7]; original pictorial wraps; minor wear along edges; numerous full-page and in-line monochrome illustrations; near fine. A wonderful collection of Russian rhymes, word games, and music. Part of "Kniga za Knigoi" series.

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