Choix de Poèmes by Francis Picabia, from the library of Georges Bataille

PICABIA, Francis; Henry PARISOT (editor). Choix de Poèmes. Paris, GLM, 1947. [with:]

_. Advertising flyer for the exhibition ‘Quelques Œuvres de Picabia (époque dada 1915-1925)’ at the Galerie Artiste et Artisan. [Paris, 1951].

Two unique copies. First edition of this collection of poems by Francis Picabia, selected by Henry Parisot and inscribed by the author to Georges Bataille, with an illustrated advertising flyer for the 1951 exhibition of Picabia’s Dada works, also from Bataille’s library.

Parisot was a translator and editor, renowned for his influential translations of Lewis Carroll. From 1945, he directed the literature series ‘L’Âge d’Or’, which published the works of several surrealist authors, including Bataille and Picabia.  This out of trade copy (‘H.C.’ stands for ‘Hors commerce’) of the Choix de Poèmes was inscribed and presented by Picabia to Bataille. The flyer for Picabia’s 1951 Dada exhibition features two large illustrations by the artist, complemented by text from Jacques-Henry Lévesque, André Breton, Blaise Cendrars, and Pierre de Massot. Like the book, it also proceeds from Bataille’s library, bearing his stamp.

Two works. Choix de poèmes: duodecimo; in the original grey wrappers, spine and front cover lettered in black; light uniform toning; ‘à Georges Bataille Francis Picabia’ to half-title; old shelf-labels (probably George Bataille’s) to spine and front fly-leaf. Quelques œuvres de Picabia: one leaf folded four times, with two large B/W illustrations; slightly toned, short splits at folds; library stamp of Georges Bataille.