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61
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Paul ÉLUARD. *Médieuses*. Paris, G.
See original version (French)
61
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Paul ÉLUARD. *Médieuses*. Paris, G.
See original version (French)
Estimate €4,000 - €6,000
Voluntary lot
Description
Paul ÉLUARD. *Médieuses*. Paris, G. Dorfinant’s printing works, 21 June 1939.
Large folio, loose-leaf, hardback, blue half-cloth slipcase and the publisher’s case.
A rare first edition: it is printed entirely in lithography, with the text autographed by Paul Éluard and 16 large plates by Valentine Hugo.
A unique print run of 12 copies on Arches paper; a unnumbered copy, marked in Paul Éluard’s own hand as belonging to ‘our friend Théo Léger’. The colophon is signed by Paul Éluard and Valentine Hugo, as is to be expected. It bears the handwritten note in pencil at the bottom: ‘1st proof, half-glued’.
A Belgian poet, Théo Léger was a close friend of Paul Éluard. His name has been erased, though remains legible, no doubt at the time of the copy’s sale.
An original drypoint by Valentine Hugo is included, a first-state proof inscribed at the bottom by the artist: “First draft for *Médieuses* by Paul Éluard – drypoint – before the lithographs.” A fine full-margin print, 33.2 x 25.2 cm, 19.5 x 15.1 cm within the plate.
The illustrated book was republished by Gallimard in 1944 in a smaller format. There are pinholes on the cover.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale
Henri Michaux, the Sven Pitsey collection
Auction location
Auction time
10/29/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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