VERVE: Vol II, No. 8: September - November 1940 [Sunset over the Mediterranean by Pierre Bonnard]

First American Edition, with tipped in 'Occupation of Paris' notice. Tall 4to, 35.5cm., sewn binding in Henri Matisse-designed lighograph printed cover on black paper over cards (often mistaken for the DJ itself), with original brown kraft paper lithographed dust jacket. The dust jacket was often treated as a throwaway, especially since it was taped over, making it impossible to see the beautiful Matisse covers without tearing it; they are quite uncommonly seen. We have not attempted removing the dust jacket here, though we have supplied a photograph from another copy showing the design. This is a unique opportunity to for a collector to have not only a copy of the book *as issued* with the jacket, but a uniquely clean and fresh copy of the cover itself, entombed within the protection of the jacket. The book itself is exceedingly clean and sharp. Illustrated throughout in color and black and white with contributions from Verve's usual suspects: Matisse, Miro, Picasso, Rouault, Braque, and a spectacular center-fold lithograph by Pierre Bonnard. In spite of the statement in the 'Occupation notice that half the American edition was lost, this is not a terribly scarce book -- perhaps because subscribers immediately recognized the significance of what it represented, namely the destruction of the thriving modern art movement in France at the hands of the neo-classical obsessed Nazis. But the jacket and condition make this an uncommon survival. …