Sale 2449 - Graphic Design, May 25, 2017

PAUL COLIN (1892-1985)

●

LE TUMULTE NOIR. Portfolio complete with 22 plates, two

covers and two chemises. 1927.

x12

inches, 47x31

cm. [H. Chachoin, Paris.]

Condition varies, generally B+ / A-: water staining and wear on front cover;

tears, staining, creases and soiling to second cover; minor creases and light

staining on some plates.

The

Tumulte Noir

is a luxurious portfolio consisting of 42 original

lithographs by Colin, all hand-colored in pochoir, an elaborate procedure

involving stencils for each color. An advertisement in the program from

the

Bal Nègre

makes it clear that this album was designed for and sold at

this special one-night event, which was Colin’s brainchild and tribute to the

“Black Craze” of Paris. Only 500 copies were printed, and each portfolio

includes a facsimile of a letter of introduction written by Josephine Baker,

a preface by Rip (the satirist George Thenon) and a sort of calligram in the

shape of a palm tree by Colin. The album is divided into two parts, the

first of which is dedicated to Josephine Baker and black musicians and

dancers. Exquisitely stylized, drawn with a free hand, full of wit, movement

and invention, it encapsulates Colin at his very best. The second part is a

satire of Paris under the spell of the Charleston rage. Following in the steps

and the style of Sem, Colin depicts in funny (and sometimes cruel) satire

the Parisian music hall stars of the moment. His subjects included

Mistinguett, Maurice Chevalier, Cecile Sorel, the Dolly Sisters, as well as

the chansonniers Rip and Saint-Granier, a Cubist Jean Borlin of the Ballet

Suédois, and even the tennis champion Suzanne Lenghen. It is very

RARE

to find this portfolio complete (in addition to the edition of 500, 10 copies

were printed on Japan paper and 10 others on Madagascar Vellum), as most

existing copies have been broken up. This copy is not only complete, but

it also has a double cover and the rarely-seen insert bearing the French

advisory “there is no advertising page in this album.”

[25,000/35,000]