Chavre, Vence, 1972. Cloth. First Edition. Signed by the author & the artist.
A livre d'artiste of 34 lithographs by Max Ernst on a poem by Ribermont-Desaignes -- the English language edition [originally published in French, with parallel editions in English and German]. SIGNED BY ERNST and by RIBEMONT DESAIGNES on the colophon, in a LIMITED EDITION OF 799 NUMBERED COPIES; published in loose signatures in a paper folio, in a cloth chemise and matching slipcase. Ernst's imagery begins with humorous plays on children's games but quickly darkens as the poem proceeds in repeated images of stick-figures in parade or formation, many images of course in Ernst's enigmatic style of juxtaposition and collage. In fine condition. A superb collaboration by two of the most important artists of surrealism. Included is a gallery monograph published by the Galerie Alphonse Chave (Vense) presenting the Ballade; the monograph (unpaginated) illustrates 34 Ernst lithographs and several pages of Ribemont Dessaignes' poetry (frontispiece is a photo of Ribemont Dessaignes, Man Ray and Ernst). Fine. In Clamshell Box.

[Item #14217]