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Description
LEIRIS (Michel).
The Rules of the Game. I. Deletions. – II. Trifles. – III. Fragments. – IV. A Faint Sound.
Paris: Gallimard, [1948–1976]. — 4 works in 4 in-8 volumes, 278 pp., (1 f.), printed cover; 239 pp., (2 ff.), printed cover; 292 pp., (1 f.), printed cover; 399 pp., (4 ff., the last 2 blank), printed cover. Paperback; the first two volumes in a slipcase and cover.
First edition of this autobiographical tetralogy, published over a period of nearly 30 years.
‘*La Règle du jeu* constitutes a vast autobiographical undertaking. Whilst studying the phenomena of the marvellous and the sacred in the field, Leiris becomes his own field of observation. By exploring his childhood memories and creating a self-portrait, he examines what drives him to write and what it means to write about oneself. Should one tell everything? How can one avoid distorting the truth? What are the consequences for real life?
Biffures, Fourbis, Fibrilles, Frêle bruit: from 1948 to 1976, Leiris, drawing on his series beginning with b, f and r, set this phonetic trap for his readers—one into which he himself delights in falling. ‘Tongue-tied’ language is a tool for experimenting with language. And the learning of language is a field to be explored by the autobiographer’ (presentation by Gallimard).
In this work, Africa haunts the author’s writing: it appears through memories, reflections on the failure to understand the other, and as a metaphor for his own work of self-portraiture.
Press review copies. Each title is accompanied by a signed autograph from the author:
- “To Dr Borel, // with faithful affection from // Michel Leiris” (Biffure).
- ‘To Dr Adrien Borel, // who helped me play // my part better. // Kind regards, // Michel Leiris’ (Fourbis).
- ‘To Jacques Farny, // with warmest regards // from // Michel Leiris’ (Fibrilles).
- ‘To Marcel, // with the deepest affection. // Michel’ (Frêle Bruit).
*Fourbis* and *Fibrilles* are accompanied by their ‘please insert’ notes. The two copies dedicated to Adrien Borel are each housed in a modern slipcase and cover. *Frêle Bruit* is accompanied by a handwritten card from the author (“Love, Michel”).
There is soiling and discolouration on the covers of the first three volumes.
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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