Simulacre. Poèmes et lithographies by LEIRIS, Michel (1901-1990) and André MASSON (1896-1987) - 1925

Paris: Editions de la Galerie Simon [D. H. Kahnweiler], 1925. Some wear and a few short tears to glassine, remnants of owner's label on front free endpaper. From the Collection of Arthur & Charlotte Vershbow. 4to (250 x 200 mm). 7 lithographs by Masson, including that for the cover. Original printed wrappers; original glassine. LEIRIS'S FIRST BOOK, AND THE SECOND BOOK ILLUSTRATED BY MASSON. LIMITED EDITION, number 58 of 90 copies on vérge d'Arches from a total edition of 112 copies signed by Leiris and Masson, numbered on the justification leaf and glassine. "The 'discursive' series and the 'figurative' series that make up Simulacre exist independently of each other, according to Leiris. Nonetheless, it is difficult to believe in a simple juxtaposition of poems and lithographs. The poet who wrote several texts in [Masson's] studio at rue Blonet certainly found inspiration in certain canvases. Even if the lithographs do not directly illustrate the poems, they set up a dialogue with them" (Renée Rise Hubert, Surrealism and the Book, Berkeley, 1988, p. 28). Artist & the Book 191; Monod 7071; Saphire 5-11.