Jean Giono, Bernard Buffet, Search For Purity, 1953

Hand-composed book illustrated by Bernard Buffet with 21 original drypoint engravings. The typography and engravings were produced on the presses of Janine Daragnès Edition which was limited to 140 copies on Rives ivoire. The copies are signed by the author and the artist and the copperplates used for the engraving have been scratched. Presence of a dedication to Juliette and Henri Dalmon.

Completed printing on May 11, 1953 for Henri Creuzevault publisher, 159 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré - Paris VIIIe. Binding by René Kieffer. Book in cardboard slipcase.

Copy number 90.

“No one could doubt when reading Search for Purity in 1939, that he was a pacifist or warmonger, a supporter of force or non-violence, that he found himself in the presence of an extraordinary text [...]. And if there is a text on which Jean Giono and Bernard Buffet were likely to meet happily, it is certainly this one. [...] This book takes its place alongside the Songs of Maldoror because both speak of the same despair and the same disgust: that of man before man. Whether he is standing or on his knees, in front of the guns or free, whether he is blindfolded or not, the man is alone.”

Some slight marks of use taken in photos.

Dimensions of the book:
Length: 38 cm
Width: 25 cm