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Ader

97 - STAËL (Nicolas de) - LECUIRE (Pierre).
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Estimate €15,000 - €20,000
Sale commission
Description
STAËL (Nicolas de) - LECUIRE (Pierre). Ballets-minute. Paris, [1954]. - In-4, 325 x 252 : (50 ff. first 3 and last 3 blank), printed cover. In sheets, filled cover, hardback folder illustrated with a composition in colour, slipcase. Very rare first edition of this collection of 17 previously unpublished poem-ballets by the poet and publisher Pierre Lecuire (1922-2013). One of the masterpieces of twentieth-century French illustrated books, decorated with 20 original etchings, including 3 on double page, and a coloured linocut on the dust jacket, by the painter Nicolas de STAËL (1914-1955). It is of major importance because it brings together almost all the etchings ever engraved by the artist, whose total corpus does not exceed 23 pieces. The linocuts, with their large, brightly coloured flat tints, offer a striking contrast to the finesse of the etchings, while sharing with them a composition of rare elegance. Nicolas de Staël appears to have experimented with this technique on only two occasions: first in 1949, then to decorate the folder of this collection. Only 50 copies were printed, signed by the author and the artist. This is one of 30 on Rives vellum, numbered 11 to 40, with the number 36 and this autograph signed letter from Nicolas de Staël on the second blank page: To Doctor Poulain // Thank you // Nicolas // 1954 The artist was Dr Odette Poulain (1905-1996), who had built up a first-rate collection of modern and contemporary works, including such great names as Serge Charchoune, André Masson, Simon Hantaï, Gianni Bertini, Paul Jenkins, Pierre Lesieur, Serge Poliakoff, Alexandre Calder, etc. and of course Nicolas de Staël. There is also a one-page in-8 LAS from the artist to Doctor Poulain: "I'm leaving tomorrow for the week. May I telephone you on my return. Best regards Nicolas. I used a flyleaf as an envelope, you see. Spine of folder browned, some rubbing to the hinges. Interior perfectly preserved. Provenance: Odette Poulain, with a letter from the artist.
See original version (French)
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About the sale ENLUMINATIONS, ANCIENT and MODERN BOOKS
Auction location
Auction time 06/17/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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