Surrealism, Page From An Amicorum Album By Man Ray, Autographs By Max Ernst, Waldberg...
These two photos show both sides (front and back) of an exceptional collection of autographs and drawings, dated January 23, 1964. These are pages from a Album Amicorum (guestbook) that belonged to the famous Surrealist artist Man Ray and his wife Juliet (as evidenced by the dedication "To sweetheart Juliet" and the address "1, Rue Léopold Robert", which was the address of Man Ray’s Paris studio in the 14th arrondissement). This page brings together the signatures and contributions of several of the greatest figures of the avant-garde and the Surrealist movement of the 20th century.
Decoding the Signatures and Inscriptions
First image (Front / Green and cream page)
Decoding the Signatures and Inscriptions
First image (Front / Green and cream page)
- Max ERNST: Signature in blue at the bottom left of the green section.
- Maurice HENRY: Signature accompanied by a small profile drawn in black line.
- Aristide CAILLAUD: Signature accompanied by the poetic inscription "Aristide champagne de laiole / Line".
- Jean-Hughes SILVA: Signature "Th. Silva" or similar.
- Camille BRYEN: At the bottom right of the cream section, a long vertical inscription: "Extremely charming packaging / Bryen".
- Germaine MONTERO: Large signature and message in the center-right: "To Marinette, all my love, always. Germaine Montero".
- Jean-Jacques LEBEL: Signature in black ink above “Maurice Henry.”
- Chantel or Chanteux: Stylized signature at the bottom left of the beige page.
- MAN RAY: His characteristic signature "Man" or his name appears several times (notably in blue ink beneath the drawing of the gun and in pencil).
- Juliet MAN RAY: Inscription "To sweetheart - Juliet. 1964".
- Patrick WALDBERG: Very legible signature "Patric Waldberg" in the lower left corner.
- L Amiot (?) / LABISSE: Small printed or handwritten inscription "LABISSE" at the top (referring to Félix Labisse).
- Jean LAFONT: Signature centered and framed by a black line.
- Marie-Laure de NOAILLES: Signature "Marie Laure" next to a drawing of a bull’s head (a symbol of her estate and her passion for the Camargue).
- Jolaine HARVELLE (or HARELLE): Signature in the upper right corner with the inscription "Beautiful as the night and as uncertain as it / Pitou / Jolaine".
- Bona de MANDIARGUES: Signed "Bona".
- Wifredo LAM (or ALFIRO): Expressive signature in dark blue brushstroke or felt-tip pen in the lower right corner ("d'Alfiro" or associated with a circle of close artist friends).
- The Central Drawing (Pistol and Target): A magnificent surrealist drawing in blue ink depicting a hand holding a pistol firing at a target bearing the word "Yen".
- This type of document is highly sought after by collectors of modern art and literary/artistic manuscripts due to the concentration of major historical signatures (Man Ray, Max Ernst, Marie-Laure de Noailles, Patrick Waldberg)
- Key factors affecting value:
- Provenance: The fact that it came directly from Man Ray’s personal album significantly increases its historical interest.
- The original drawings: The drawing of the pistol aiming at the "Yen" and the bull’s head by Marie-Laure de Noailles transform this document from mere “autographs” into a true collective surrealist work.
- Condition: The document has slight creases and slightly yellowed edges but remains very well preserved; the inks are vivid and perfectly legible.
- Dimensions: 30 x 13 cm
- Key factors affecting value:
1 500 €
Period: 20th century
Style: Modern Art
Condition: Good condition
Material: Paper
Reference (ID): 1837261
Availability: In stock
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