Description
CENDRARS (Blaise).
Short Black Tales for White Children.
Paris: Les Éditions des Portiques, [1928]. — In-16, 185 x 134: 109 pp., (1 f.), printed cover. Paperback.
First edition of this collection of 10 African tales reimagined for children, in which humans, animals and natural elements such as shadows and the wind feature side by side. These stories, ‘which the older children of Africa tell one another for fun at night round the fire, so as not to fall asleep whilst wild beasts prowl’, explore universal themes such as friendship, injustice, poverty and laziness.
The term ‘nègre’ is used here in a positive sense, predating the emergence of the concept of ‘Négritude’ (Senghor, Césaire). Cendrars sought to convey the richness of African oral tradition to white children, in an educational and anti-racist approach for the time.
One of the 12 copies on Arches vellum, reserved for the author, the most limited print run on large-format paper (no. II). It is enhanced by this autograph dedication signed by the author on the first blank page:
To Ribadeau-Dumas // these very short stories //
With warm regards // Blaise Cendrars
This inscription was added after the book’s publication. It is likely addressed to the writer and journalist François Ribadeau-Dumas (1904–1998), with whom Cendrars collaborated, notably on the magazine *Bravo*.
A few small tears and stains on the cover. Browning on the first three pages, caused by the publisher’s bookmark bearing the copy’s serial number.
Provenance:
François Ribadeau-Dumas, with an autographed dedication.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale
Claude Mozis Library – Black Africa and the African diaspora
Auction location
Auction time
10/21/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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