385 - BRETON (André) & SOUPAULT (Philippe).

BRETON (André) & SOUPAULT (Philippe). Les Champs magnétiques. Paris, Au sans pareil, 1920. In-8, black shagreen, smooth spine with title gilt lengthwise, vertical strip on the front cover imitating a tear opening onto tan morocco leather in reserve, cover and spine preserved, in a slipcase with flaps. First edition of this collection of automatic writing, “the first purely surrealist work” according to André Breton. It is illustrated with two portraits of the authors by Francis Picabia and dedicated to Jacques Vaché. Fictitious mention of a second edition on the cover. A fine, unnumbered copy on publication paper (following the 180 numbered copies) in a beautiful, unsigned binding, enhanced by a lovely autograph dedication signed by André Breton (""From a very early age we were prepared for this harsh life of inaction, and today neither women nor jewels lull us to sleep"") followed by Philippe Soupault’s signature with the date June 1920. The top of the flyleaf bearing the inscription has been torn off (most likely to remove the recipient’s name) and has been filled in. The first few pages have been reattached with tabs (with traces of a tear below the page margin remaining on the half-title and title pages).