Char, René | Bibliographie des oeuvres de René Char—the author's copy, spectacularly bound

Char, René

Bibliographie des oeuvres de René Char de 1928 à 1963. Paris: PAB, 1964

8vo (247 x 168mm). Char's copy, designated copy number I of 50, printed on Arches paper, autograph correspondence to him from "PAB" (Pierre-André Benoit) bound in, PAB's manuscript errata, marked printed proof of errata leaf, 4 original signed prints on wove paper by Georges Braque (Valier 191), Alberto Giacometti (Lust 176), Joan Miró (Cramer 93), and Maria Helena Viera da Silva, 12 illustrations in text by Valentine Hugo (portrait of René Char), Giacometti, Jean Hugo (2), Joan Miró (2), Braque, Picasso, Pab, Victor Brauner, Greta Knutson (2), all edges gilt. Grey buffalo over boards by Renaud Vernier, finished by Claude Ribal, boards asymmetrically cut with centre inset panel of Macassar wood cornered with rivets, velvet goatskin pastedown and endleaves, lettered in black, gilt-stamp of Vernier to front turn in dated 2018, gilt stamp of Ribal to rear turn in; merely the slightest soiling to head of spine. Half buffalo chemise, velvet goatskin pastedowns, slipcase.

A magnificently bound copy, the author's own, with four original signed prints by Char's close collaborators—Braque, Giacometti, Miró and Viera da Silva.

René Char (1907-1988) was certainly one of the foremost poets of the twentieth century, having been an integral part of the Surrealist movement in the 1930s and eventually publishing more than thirty volumes of poetry and other writings. By the time of the publication of his oeuvres, Char had achieved full poetic maturity and was at the height of his artistic powers. He was intimately connected with Breton, Camus, Picasso, Miró, Braque, Kandinsky and Matisse amongst other twentieth century greats. The original signed prints in this volume are often removed, only increasing the desirability of this scarce tome.

After the editing process, Pierre-André Benoit discovered numerous errors in the text and wrote to Char (translated from the French): "...I reread everything and we need an errata. It's unthinkable all these mistakes! Pitiful. In short, there is nothing more to do. Attached is the text of the errata. Do you see anything else. It is very cold. Your, PAB". Less than a month later, Pierre-André Benoit was able to send Char his copy, designated No. I, with the errata, offering him the corrected errata and the manuscript. He adds a last word by letter, posted from Alès on December 30: "It is a pleasure to take care of what we love, but also, because of this love, what anguish it is not to do better, despite all the help sought. No matter how little it is, that's all I've ever done for you. See there only a sign from the heart. PAB."

Renaud Vernier was awarded the title of Maitre d'art in 2000 by the French Ministry of culture; one of only three binders to receive the award. Vernier follows traditional methods and often integrates unusual materials considered more challenging to the artist. On the present binding, the use of buffalo shows Vernier's deft handling of a material known to require great technical skill to execute with success. Each binding requires exacting detail and attention, and for this reason Vernier only completes three bindings per year.

Truly a work of the utmost craftsmanship.