Émile Aboukheir / Georges Cyr - JURDES – Beiruter Luxus-Kleinstauflage – Nr

Extraordinary, specifically named, and personally dedicated exemplar of a bibliophilic luxury small-press edition from Beirut, 1953. Émile Aboukheir's JURDES was explicitly conceived as a bibliophile “première édition de luxe”: on Vélin d’Arches à la forme, with 10 original lithographs by Georges Cyr and a nominatively assigned preferred edition of only 75 numbered and signed copies. The offered exemplar No. 19 was expressly made for Marcel Broccaz: “EXEMPLAIRE No 19 – AU NOM DE Marcel Broccaz” On the colophon page are the author’s and Georges Cyr’s hand signatures. Additionally the book contains further handwritten signatures on the editions page as well as a particularly personal handwritten dedication from Émile Aboukheir to Marcel Broccaz, dated: “En souvenir ému à Mr Marcel Broccaz – Beyrouth le 11-I-54” in substance: “In moving memory for Mr. Marcel Broccaz – Beirut, January 11, 1954.” Thus the already nominatively designated exemplar for Broccaz was personally dedicated by the author immediately after publication. 10 original lithographs by Georges Cyr The book expressly describes the illustrations as: “Lithographies originales de Georges Cyr” Included are 10 full-page original lithographs (hors-texte). The printing note documents that the lithographs were printed in Beirut on a hand press in the Ateliers Cressot. The works display Georges Cyr’s characteristic modern visual language and thereby render JURDES both a Künstlerbuch (artist’s book) and an original graphic work. Only 75 nominative copies The peculiarity lies not only in the small edition: the 75 copies were made for individual recipients, numbered from I to LXXV and each signed by the author and the illustrator. Only the first five copies also contained a suite of the drawings. The detailed printing note also mentions a “Exemplaire unique” for the President of the Republic, a special copy for the Bibliothèque Nationale, and a few proof and press copies. No. 19 thus belongs to the core, nominatively assigned luxury edition limited to 75 copies, signed by author and artist. Elaborate bibliophilic production in Beirut An editions page explicitly states that the Lebanese Association of Friends of the Book pursued with the publication the aim of issuing artistic works as a “première édition de luxe.” Printed on high-quality Vélin d’Arches à la forme. The Arches watermark is visible in this exemplar and documented in the photographs. The natural untrimmed edges of the handmade paper are preserved at the fore- and tail margins. Historical provenance material The book also contains an old newspaper clipping dated March 27, 1958, handwritten, about Samia Aboukheir, which has been kept with the exemplar for decades and is supplied. The combination of the already 1953-named exemplar for Marcel Broccaz, Aboukheir’s personal dedication from January 1954, and the later preserved newspaper clipping gives this exemplar a distinct, individual history. No further personal relationship between Marcel Broccaz and the author’s circle is documented and is explicitly not claimed as established fact. Bibliographic details Author: Émile Aboukheir / Émile Abou Kheir Title: JURDES Illustrator: Georges Cyr Place/Year: Beirut (Beirut), 1953 Text printing: Imprimerie Catholique, Beirut Illustrations: 10 original lithographs / hors-texte Lithograph printing: Hand press, Ateliers Cressot, Beirut Paper: Vélin d’Arches à la forme Preferred edition: 75 nominative, numbered and signed copies Copy: No. 19/75, for Marcel Broccaz Signed: Émile Aboukheir and Georges Cyr; additional signatures on the editions page Personal dedication: Émile Aboukheir to Marcel Broccaz, 11.01.1954 Extent: 138 pages Format: ca. 19 × 28 cm Language: French With slipcase Condition For a 1953 bibliophile edition, well preserved. Signs of age and use are present. The original lithographs appear strong and appealing. The numerous photographs document the lithographs, the edition designation No. 19/75, the name Marcel Broccaz, the signatures, the personal dedication, the Arches paper, the untrimmed sheet edges, and the historical newspaper clipping. The photographs are expressly part of the condition description. Special features at a glance Beirut “première édition de luxe” · only 75 nominative copies · No. 19 specifically for Marcel Broccaz · multiple signatures · signatures by Émile Aboukheir and Georges Cyr · personal dedication by Aboukheir, January 1954 · 10 original lithographs by Georges Cyr · hand-press printing in Beirut · Vélin d’Arches · untrimmed paper edges · historical newspaper clipping from 1958 · slipcase Private sale from my collection. The description has been prepared to the best of my knowledge based on the exemplar and the included printing and edition notes. Errors in bibliographic or other descriptive details excepted. The condition assessment is subjective. The photographs are expressly part of the description and decisive for the purchaser’s own assessment. The offering and delivery concern only the exemplar shown in the photographs, including the existing slipcase and the inserted historical newspaper clipping.

Estimate:£318.18

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