Le Diable au Corps
Paul-Emile Becat, Raymond RadiguetParis: Editions Georges Gullot, 1957.
First Thus.
28cm x 22cm. 184 pages, 2 original drawings, 16 hand-coloured plates, 32 black and white plates. Original lettered wrappers, chemise, slipcase. Text is in French.
The Devil in the Flesh. The story of a young married woman’s affair with a teenage boy while her husband is away fighting in WWI. First published in 1923, this is the first edition with erotic illustrations by Becat, and with an introduction by Jean Cocteau. The superlative issue, one of 16 numbered copies on Japanese paper with an original signed drawing in pencil and white gouache, with the composition then hand coloured and signed by Becat, the 16 illustrations by Becat hand coloured by Jean and Paulette Monnier, followed by a suite containing the illustrations in black in two states, on Japanese paper and Rives vellum.
A couple of very edge creases. Minor shelf wear to chemise, moderate to slipcase. Near Fine Condition.
The Book Merchant Jenkins is away 24 August to 25 September, including exhibiting at the Berlin Rare Book Fair (18-20 September). Online orders can still be placed during this period and will be processed on our return. Email enquiries will be answered, though response times may be a little slower than usual.
AU$2,000