Paul Eluard. Lot n° 271

Le Phénix with eighteen drawings by Valentine Hugo. Paris, GLM, 1952. Large in-8, paperback. First edition, completed in December 1951. (Coron, Les Éditions GLM, n° 349.) One of the 25 first copies on Arches vellum (n° 22), signed by the painter and the poet. The illustration includes 18 drawings by Valentine Hugo, 17 of which are full-page and one on the title, reproduced on the cover. Copy of the publisher Louis Broder enriched with a large portrait of Paul Eluard, in Indian ink; original drawing initialled by Valentine Hugo. Under the justification, the latter noted: "With a portrait of Paul drawn especially for this copy belonging to Louis Broder, with our affection Valentine." The poet was to die shortly after, in November 1952.