Les Mains Libres

Man Ray and Paul Eluard

Published by Jeanne Bucher, paris, 1937

About this Item

MAN RAY and Paul ELUARD. Les mains libres. Paris, Jeanne Bucher, 1937. First edition, number 319 of 650 copies printed on Chester vergé of a total edition of 675 copies, presented by Eluard to the Surrealist writer Georges Mouton. Les mains libres is the second collaborative work of Man Ray and Paul Eluard after Facile (published in 1935). During the 1930s, Man Ray made numerous drawings in Paris and the south of France. He shared them with Eluard, who requested to keep them temporarily. Adhering to the Surrealist tradition, the poet illustrates the images, not the opposite: upon Man Ray s return, Eluard had paired each drawing with a poem. This collaboration resulted in the publication of Les mains libres, featuring fifty-four illustrations by Man Ray facings as many poems by Eluard, and three appendices, Sade , Portrais , and Details , which include Man Ray s portraits of Pablo Picasso, André Breton, and Eluard. Provenance: This copy was presented by Eluard to the writer Goerge Mouton. Connected to Surrealist circles in the 1930s, Mouton was a member of the Contre-Attaque group led by Georges Bataille and André Breton during 1935-1936. Quarto (280 x 125 mm), pp. 176, [30], pictorial title and 66 full-page illustrations by Man Ray; original pictorial wrappers printed in white and red, partly uncut; a generally fine copy with very minor creasing to lower corners and spine; author s presentation inscription to half-title à Georges Mouton très amicalement, Paul Eluard (see above). Seller Inventory # ABE-1719410173876

Bibliographic Details

Title: Les Mains Libres

Publisher: Jeanne Bucher, paris

Publication Date: 1937

Binding: Soft cover

Condition: Fine

Signed: Inscribed by Author(s)

Edition: 1st Edition