142 - Henri MICHAUX. *Le Lobe des monstres*. [Lyon], L’Arbalète, 1944.

Henri MICHAUX. *Le Lobe des monstres*. [Lyon], L’Arbalète, 1944. In-16, caramel-colored slipcase, title running lengthwise on smooth spine, covers decorated with incised abstract designs, featuring embossed and mosaic-style leather inlays, slipcase linings in the same shade, mustard-colored nubuck endpapers, untrimmed, cover and spine preserved, box (Monique Mathieu 2005). First edition: it features a frontispiece based on a drawing by the author. It was produced by Marc Barbezat (1913–1999) of Lyon, “one of the finest ‘small publishers’ of his time. Having learned typography himself at the Audin printing house, he always took particular care in producing books of varying degrees of luxury, but always of impeccable quality” (Raymond Bellour). Limited edition of 235 numbered copies. One of the first five copies printed on old Japanese paper (No. B), accompanied by an original drawing signed in India ink on laid paper: a depiction of two imaginary creatures (21 x 15.8 cm). The drawing is said to have belonged to Marc Barbezat. The set is housed in a box that opens like a reliquary, displaying the drawing under Plexiglas opposite the volume. There is a crease mark in the lower left corner of the drawing. A beautiful, decorated, and mosaicked binding by Monique Mathieu. It was executed by Anne Dorgeuille, with gilding by Claude Ribal. This is the only binding designed by M. Mathieu for this edition. (Imbert, no. 116.)