UNE SAISON EN ENFER [EAUX-FORTES ORIGINALES DE ANDRÉ MASSON]

Paris: Les Cent-Une : Société de Femmes Bibliophiles, 1961. Folio. [2],140,[3] pp. including 10 original etchings by André Masson: 9 double-page aquatints in colors and one single-page aquatint printed 9 times, each in a different tint and section heading. Signed by the artist and by the president and vice president of the Société de Femmes Bibliophiles. Loose signatures in original printed wrappers, portfolio (maroon cloth and paper over boards, silver spine title), and clamshell case (blue cloth, printed paper spine label, colored patterned endpapers). Light toning at edges of wrappers, minor stains (not exceeding 1/4 inch) at foot of front wrapper panel, portfolio lightly scuffed, case lightly rubbed. Internally near fine, untrimmed.

The twenty-first book published by the elite international society of women bibliophiles, Les Cent-Une, printed in 140 copies on large Rives paper, numbered I-CI for members of the society and 1-39 for collaborators in the project. This is copy VIII, printed for Princess Matila Ghyka (i.e., Eileen O'Conor Ghyka, 1897-1963). The work is a sumptuous production of Rimbaud's poem in prose and verse with abstract tinted and colored aquatints by André Masson, with the text printed at the presses of Fequet et Baudier and the plates at the Atelier Crommelynck.

Patrick Cramer, ANDRÉ MASSON : THE ILLUSTRATED BOOKS, 50.