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an old black and white photo of a vase with a flower in itan old book with writing on it sitting on top of a table
Premium Jeschke Jádi Auctions Berlin

Estimate €1,800 - €2,400
Sale commission
Description
Photography Cocteau, Jean L'Ange Heurtebise. Poem. With an original heliogravure by Man Ray. Paris, Librairie Stock, 1925. 22 leaves. Folio. Loose sheets in the printed, multi-folded original brochure. (Cover dusty, slightly stained and backed with cardboard). Mahe I, 536. – Monod 2889. – Paris-Berlin 1900–1933, 586. – One of 50 ‘hors commerce’ copies of the special edition on Vélin Blanc. - Author’s copy with a handwritten dedication by Jean Cocteau: “à mes chers amis Jouhandeau que mon ange soit témoin de votre bonheur”, to the writer Marcel Jouhandeau (1888–1979) and a note in Jouhandeau’s own hand, indicating that he gave the book to his wife as a wedding present in June 1929. Cocteau’s central poetic text, written in 1925, is complemented here by Man Ray’s iconic rayogram, described as the ‘Photographie de l’ange’. Created using a camera-less technique, the image transforms the ethereal figure of Heurtebise—who oscillates between guardian angel, menace and memory—into a ghostly, abstract visual apparition. The work ranks among the early and outstanding encounters between avant-garde literature and experimental photography in Parisian Modernism. – The ‘Rayography’ has three closed tears at the margins; otherwise in good condition. With an original heliogravure by Man Ray. Paris, Librairie Stock, 1925. Folio. Loose sheets in the printed, multi-fold original wrapper. Mahé I, 536. - Monod 2889. - Paris-Berlin 1900–1933, 586. - One of 50 ‘hors commerce’ copies of the deluxe edition on Vélin Blanc. Author’s copy, inscribed and signed by Jean Cocteau to the writer Marcel Jouhandeau (1888–1979) and his wife: “à mes chers amis Jouhandeau que mon ange soit témoin de votre bonheur” “to my dear friends Jouhandeau, may my angel bear witness to your happiness”. With a handwritten note by Jouhandeau stating that he gave the book to his wife as a wedding present in June 1929. Cocteau’s seminal poetic text, written in 1925, is complemented here by Man Ray’s iconic rayograph, described as a “Photographie de l’ange”. Produced without a camera, this image transforms the ethereal figure of Heurtebise—poised between guardian angel, threat and memory—into a ghostly, abstract visual presence. The work ranks among the earliest and most significant encounters between avant-garde literature and experimental photography in modern Paris. The wrapper is dust-stained, somewhat spotted and backed with card; the ‘Rayographie’ has three closed marginal tears but is otherwise in good condition. This lot is subject to standard tax. A 24.95% buyer’s premium is payable on the hammer price, and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offset Prints, Photographs) is payable on the final invoice amount within the European Union. This lot is subject to the standard tax regime. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (books and art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, screen prints, offset prints and photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union.
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About the sale Valuable books, prints, historical photographs
Auction location
Auction time 10/24/2026 at 10:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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