124 - PÉRET (Benjamin).

PÉRET (Benjamin). Natural History. — MAYOUX (Jehan). As Far as the Eye Can See. Ussel, 1958. — 2 works in 2 in-8 volumes, 242 x 160: 60 pp., (2 ff. first blank), printed cover; 44 pp., (4 ff. first blank), printed cover. Paperback, padded covers, with the publisher’s slipcase and dust jacket. First edition of these two works. The first, by the Surrealist poet Benjamin PÉRET (1899–1959), is illustrated with 5 compositions by the Czech painter TOYEN (1902–1980), including an original drypoint frontispiece, hand-colored, numbered, and signed by the artist, and 5 full-page black-and-white drawings. The second, by the Surrealist writer Jehan MAYOUX (1904–1975), features an original etching as a frontispiece, numbered and signed by the painter and engraver Charles LE BARS (1925–2012). Each volume is a limited edition of 273 copies not available for sale, hand-printed on Auvergne paper from the Moulin Richard de Bas. Mayoux’s copy is signed by the author on the colophon. Both bear the number 40. These two volumes were published and sold together in a shared folder and slipcase. A copy belonging to Edmond Bomsel—a lawyer, bibliophile, collector, and patron of several Surrealists and numerous artists—enriched by this autographed dedication signed by Benjamin Péret on the half-title page of his book: To Edmond Bomsel, // Higher up, pepper nourishes the stars and // gives them their brilliance // With friendship from // Benjamin Péret Copies in perfect condition. Provenance: Edmond Bomsel, with a dedication by Benjamin Péret.