34 - BRETON (André) - ERNST (Max).

BRETON (André) - ERNST (Max). The Star-Studded Castle. [Paris: Albert Skira, 1936]. — In-4, 325 x 250: (12 blank folios at the beginning and end), 1 plate. Blue cloth-bound hardcover with the publisher’s illustration. Very rare first edition, a separate printing of the text that appeared in issue 8 (June 1936) of the journal *Minotaure*. It is adorned with 8 inset reproductions of rubbings by Max ERNST. André Breton wrote this text following his trip to Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, in May 1935, accompanied by Jacqueline Lamba. In it, the author describes his visit to the volcanic island, with the Teide and the star-shaped Prague Castle serving as key images. The text would become Chapter V of *L’Amour fou*, published by the NRF in 1937. Limited edition of only 50 copies on Arches vellum paper, numbered and signed by the author on the margin (No. 9), each enhanced with an original color frottage, numbered and signed by Max Ernst. A copy from the lawyer, bibliophile, and collector Edmond Bomsel, a patron of several Surrealists and numerous artists, featuring an autograph dedication signed by the author on the title page: For Edmond Bomsel // On the edge of the abyss, // built of the philosopher’s stone, // stands // THE STARRY CASTLE // his friend // André Breton Bomsel’s name is inextricably linked to the Gradiva Gallery, which Breton opened in May 1937 at 31 rue de Seine and whose opening Bomsel financed. This copy is enhanced by two autograph signed letters from Breton and an autograph postcard from him, all addressed to Edmond Bomsel. The first letter, one page in-4, is dated January 22, 1935. Zervos had informed him that his correspondent had acquired the manuscript of his poem *L'Air de l'eau*. But he notes that he is facing difficulties “in resolving the practical problems of life”: “It is these difficulties that unfortunately compel me today to ask you most earnestly to please send me the amount that Mr. Zervos told me you intended for me. At the moment, I can count on nothing else to ensure that I do not find myself tomorrow or the day after without coal or light. You would do me a great favor by sending it to me by return mail.” Envelope enclosed. The second letter, one page in-8, is dated October 23, 1957: “I was late in sending you the two portrait photographs that were requested of me at Quai aux Fleurs. Even these are not entirely recent, but the flu—a very French one—that I’ve been dragging around and the dread that “passport” photographers inspire in me have prevented me from posing again.” Envelope enclosed. The postcard is undated. It depicts the Orotara Valley in Tenerife. On the back, Breton has copied the first lines of his text: “The peak of Mount Teide in Tenerife is made of the flashes of the little dagger of pleasure that the pretty women of Toledo keep day and night against their breasts… ” A copy in its original publisher’s cardboard slipcase, adorned with a gold-embossed reproduction of Max Ernst’s frottage on the front cover. Spine faded.