A LA SANTE DU CORPS. POEME PAR MAURICE VLAMINCK, DECORE PAR ANDRE DERAIN. Signed by Derain

Paris: François Bernouard, 1919. 1st Edition. 1st Edition. Rare first edition. Thin 4to., unpaginated [24] + printed stiff card covers. 1 of only 104 numbered copies [4 on Japon & 100 on Arches]. This copy lettered "G" and signed by Derain although no lettered copies are indicated which might account for a possible 26 additional copies printed]. Designed with four full page black & white Derain illustrations. A bit of offsetting to the prelims, heavy cover stock mildly aged with light soiling. Very uncommon. Vlaminck's satirical 'poeme' about "life" has 4 chapter headings in French: Spring, Summer, Autumn & Winter - Derain's "Fauve" sketches illustrate the chapters & are typical of his heavier lines - bold & thickly rendered. A fine example of Fauvism in spirit & illustration. A movement said to have begun in June 1909 when Vlaminck first met Andre Derain at Chatou resulting in the formation of the school of Chatou & ultimately the birth of Fauve art - joined formatively by the likes of; Matisse, Gaugin, Van Dongen, Camoin, Dufy, Marquet & others. The important collaboration between Derain & de Vlaminck was not a solitary happening as their association & friendship lasted a lifetime resulting in many important works. "Quand c'est le printemps et qu'on n'a pas d'argent ça a moins d'importance qu'a quarante ans On court après la blonde on prend la brun on a vingt ans aux prunes.