298 - VERTÈS, Marcel. *Complexes*. 40 drawings by Vertès. Preface by Mac Orlan.

VERTÈS, Marcel. *Complexes*. 40 drawings by Vertès. Preface by Mac Orlan. One of Marcel Vertès’s graphic masterpieces, comprising 40 satirical drawings on the theme of psychoanalysis. A very fine first edition copy (No. 31) signed by the artist, including an original color lithograph and an original signed drawing on tracing paper. Monte Carlo, Sauret, 1948. In-4 (330 x 260 mm), cherry-red half-maroquin with corner pieces, spine with 4 cold-stamped raised bands, gold initials between the raised bands, gilt head on endpapers, linings and endpapers of textured paper, color-illustrated covers and spine preserved, in slipcase. 86 pages, 40 black-and-white drawings—full-page or double-page—by Vertès, and an original color lithograph printed by Mourlot as the frontispiece. Spine very slightly sun-faded, minute marks and scuffs on the leather, one edge of the slipcase slightly damaged. First edition of this satirical album devoted to psychoanalysis, one of Marcel Vertès’s graphic masterpieces, which he illustrated with 40 black-and-white drawings, creating a gallery of biting, poetic, and erotic portraits of the quirks, fantasies, and minor neuroses of postwar society. An ironic and incisive preface by Pierre Mac Orlan introduces the collection. Limited edition of 890 copies printed on Johannot pure-fiber paper in a custom format; this is one of the 40 “head” copies (no. 31) signed by the artist, featuring as a frontispiece an original color lithograph printed by Mourlot and signed by the artist. It is further enhanced by an original drawing signed by the artist on tracing paper and mounted opposite the colophon. A very fine copy, complete with its original illustrated covers.