Apollinaire, Guillaume

L'Enchanteur pourissant.  Paris: [Daniel-]Henry Kahnweiler, (1909)



4to (11 x 7 3/4 in.; 279 x 197 mm, uncut).  Title-page printed in red and black and with publisher's device by Derain, 29 (of 31) woodcuts, including 12 hors-texte, by André Derain.  Original limp vellum wrappers and glassine; some creasing at corners and spine ends.

Artist & the Book 78; Castleman Century 90; Chapon Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler p. 179; Garvey Arts 9; Manet to Hockney 26

4to (11 x 7 3/4 in.; 279 x 197 mm, uncut). Title-page printed in red and black and with publisher's device by Derain, 29 (of 31) woodcuts, including 12 hors-texte, by André Derain. Original limp vellum wrappers and glassine; some creasing at corners and spine ends.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Copy 10 of 25 copies on japon ancien (of a whole edition 106), signed by Apollinaire and Derain.  Although 2 of the text vignettes are not accounted for in this copy, all 12 of the maginficent hors texte plates are present.

First edition of Apollinaire's first book, illustrated with Derain's first book illustrations.  This monument of twentieth-century literature and book illustration is also the first book published by the art dealer and publisher Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler and marks the first appearance of his distinctive publisher's logo.  In the words of Riva Castleman, "Derain designed the twin-shell motif (a play on the word coquille, which means both shell and typographical error—two coquilles were the limit of errors a publisher could accept, according to an old adage)."

"The bold and sharply cut wood blocks, characteristic of the vehemence and exaggeration of the Fauves and recalling Derain's interest in Negro sculpture, heralded the modern revival of the woodcut" (Artist & the Book).

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