The Kahn Library: Dada-Surrealist and More…

These books, drawings and ephemera, all lovingly hunted out, will soon be dispersed: a decision taken by Geneviève Kahn in line with her husband's wishes. While Jean-Paul Kahn (1931-2018) bought little at public auction, he attended key sales involving Sicklès, Gaffé and, naturally, André Breton (at Drouot in 2003). His library reflects his liking for objects, the piece left behind that gives another meaning to a book – preferably one in soft covers. This is the case with the first French edition of James Joyce's monumental Ulysses (ca. €8,000), which comes with a postcard in the author's hand, and the subscription form and menu for the "Ulysses" lunch on Thursday 27 June 1929 intended for the copies in Holland paper print run distributed that day. This is signed by thirteen of the participants, including James Joyce, Paul Valéry, Philippe Soupault, Adrienne Monnier and Sylvia Beach. As…