Eric Chaim Kline, Bookseller

L'Ange Heurtebise [W/ PHOTOGRAM]

Cocteau, Jean; Man Ray (photograph)

Paris: Librarie Stock, 1925. Limited first edition. Softcover. 1/300. Large folio. 15pp. [2]. (+ print). Housed in a beautiful custom clamshell box in blue pebbled leather, with white lettering on the spine, and a finely rendered inlaid illustration in white leather, based on the famous face designed by Cocteau, on the front cover. White loose leaf portfolio, with black lettering. Pages uncut and un-opened. #202 of 250 printed on "velin d'arches" paper from a total of 300 copies, numbered on the colophon.

This finely printed work contains the complete text of Jean Cocteau's poem "L'Ange Heurtebise" (The Heurtebise Angel), based on the angelic/demonic figure, who reappears numerous times throughout the artist's work, and was sometimes noted as a reincarnation of the artist's former lover Raymond Radiguet. Cocteau claimed that he first encountered the figure when he spoke to Cocteau in an elevator, manufactured by the company Heurtebise, and thus was named as such. Following this, the artist composed the poem in a haze, lasting seven days.

The work is accompanied by an original b/w heliogravure print of a photogram by acclaimed modern artist Man Ray (also known as a "Rayograph"). It was said to be a depiction of Heurtebise, although the figure was said to be inscrutable. These types of photographic images are created without the use of a camera, by directly placing objects onto a light sensitive surface, and exposing the assemblage to light.

Portfolio with minor damp staining to covers, as well as sunning sunning to the right side of the back cover. Interior with some sporadic and very minor smudges, mostly to the margins. Light age toning to the spine of the portfolio and top of the blank preceeding the half-title. Minor smudging to the bottom margin of the print, with image unaffected and and clean. Box in near fine, portfolio and interior in very good+ condition overall. vg+ to near fine. Item #49348

Price: $3,000.00