Sale 2514 - The Pride Sale, June 20, 2019

56 c JEAN COCTEAU (1889-1963) Autograph Manuscript, unsigned, working draft of a brief essay entitled “La Marquise Casati: actrice sans théâtre,” in French . 6 pages, tall 4to, written on versos of separate sheets of “Hotel de La Momounia” stationery. Np, nd. [600/900] “The Marchesa Casati gave us the performance of one of those great actresses of the theater of fashion, one of those tragedians who never step onto the stage and whose genius for appearing and expressing themselves needs only a festival, a ball, the lightings of an evening. . . . [H]er fashion didn’t follow ‘the fashion’ and didn’t obey the orders of courtiers and coiffeurs. . . . [She would] make herself up like a Gorgon and like death. She frightened, subjugated, eclipsed more perfect and finer beauties. . . . [S]he alone seemed to receive the light of some unknown projector. . . .” Luisa Casati (1881-1957) was an Italian heiress and socialite who inspired and patronized artists the world over, and whose spectacular experiments in fashion became legendary. 57 c JEAN GENET (1910-1986) ; and JEAN COCTEAU (1889-1963) Querelle de Brest. 29 lithographs by Cocteau and one original pencil drawing for plate at page 87. 4to, rebound in gilt-lettered polished rose calf, scuffed, most heavily along spine; original wrappers bound in with ties. From a total edition of 525. [Paris: Morihien, 1947]. [2,000/3,000] one of only 15 copies containing the original drawing but lacking the extra suite of plates as called for. 56 57