BRASSAÏ, & Paul Morand.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Paris de Nuit. First edition of the photographer's first publication, double presentation copy, inscribed by Morand on the first page of text, "à Pierre Cot, Voici un joli décor pour La Patriouille etc... (Chut! chut! chut!) tres fideliement P. Morand Paris, fev. 32", and further inscribed by Brassaï across the following two pages, "Pour Christian-Vincent Matorasso, ce Paris de Nuit perdu et retrouvé avec toute ma sympathie, Brassai, Ete Village, le 7 mai 1965".The first recipient, Pierre Cot (1895-1977), was a politician central to the establishment of the French Air Force, and later of Air France. Morand's inscription alludes to La Patriouille, a display wing of the air force, the French equivalent of the British Red Arrows. Pasted below Morand's inscription is a small photograph of Brassaï in later life, which probably relates to the photographer's subsequent inscription.This is a superb copy of the work in which Brassaï showcases his mastery "at drawing luminosity from the darkness. The swaths of wet paving stones featured on the covers and endpapers of Paris de Nuit gleam like pale beacons in the streetlight. Inside, Brassaï explores the city, beginning with its broad vistas and grand public spaces and gradually moving into the demimonde he knew so intimately" (Roth, p. 76). It remains one of the most influential photobooks; signed copies are rare, and copies inscribed by both author and photographer rarer still.

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