Jean Cocteau Celebrates Jules Verne - Original Graphite Drawing - 1955

A splendid original signed graphite drawing by Jean Cocteau (1889–1963), a print design for the C.N.E. (National Writers’ Committee) commemorating the 50th anniversary of Jules Verne’s death.

1955. Graphite. Dimensions: 26.8 x 20.9 cm (Frame not included. In the last image: a proposal for a custom frame with a mat, UV-protective and anti-glare glass, 250 euros)

Drawing cataloged in the Guedras archives and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Annie Guedras, an expert on the work of Jean Cocteau.

A charming and poetic poster design for the C.N.E., which organized an annual “Writers’ Sale”—a popular and fashionable event held at the Vélodrome d’Hiver from 1950 to 1957.

In 1955, as part of the celebrations organized in France to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Jules Verne’s death (he died in 1905), Cocteau, who had always been fascinated by Jules Verne’s imagination (he retraced the journey of “Around the World in 80 Days” in 1936 for the newspaper Paris-Soir, cf. below), sketched a hot-air balloon and its cheerful passengers. The letters C, N, and E arranged around the top of the balloon refer to the Committee while also evoking the cardinal points of a compass. On the left, a flock of birds can be seen accompanying the balloon as it glides through the clouds.

A very beautiful signature.

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C.N.E

Greetings to Jules Verne and the Vel d’Hiv’

Jean Cocteau

✯ 1955

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