40 DESSINS DE PICASSO EN MARGE DU BUFFON

Paris: Jonquieres and Berggruen, 1957. Limited edition, no.161 of a limited edition of only 226 copies printed on vélin d'Arches. EXTRA-ILLUSTRATED WITH AN ORIGINAL PRINT SIGNED IN CRAYON BY PICASSO, and with 40 monochrome collotype full-page plates. Folio, as issued in original printed stiff paper wrappers enclosed in a portfolio and slipcase of burlap textured paper-covered boards. (4 blank), (12) pp. A fine copy, the added signed print also in fine condition, the slipcase a bit shaken and with loss at the foot. WITH AN ORIGINAL SIGNED PRINT. THE WORK INCLUDES VERY FINE PICASSO COLLOTYPE PRINTS, LIMITED FIRST EDITION.. This work beautifully reproduces the marginal drawings made by Picasso in 1942 in the copy of the illustrated Buffon 'Histoire Naturelle' that he had given to his mistress, Dora Maar. Prior to this edition the drawings had been unpublished. Where necessary, pages of the original Buffon text are artfully reproduced with the permission of that works publisher, Martin Fabiani.
The portfolio includes a very important print, a signed impression of the original linogravure, 'Le Pigeonneau', (c. 1939) which is believed to be either Picasso's first or second effort in the technique.