Pierre-André BENOIT

First edition, one of 57 copies printed on Arches, justified and numbered in the colophon by Pierre-André Benoît, the only deluxe copies after 7 on China paper.
A desirable and rare copy.
With René Char’s handwritten initials at the colophon.
Our copy is further enriched with a manuscript poem by René Char, in pencil, signed with his initials on the title page: "Tel un oiseau de mer qui n'accepte pas d'être arraché à sa vague pour suivre l'amont."

Autograph card signed by Pierre-André Benoit (4 lines in black ink written from his château at Rivières-de-Theyrargues in the Gard which he has occupied since 1970) addressed to the bookseller Pierre Clerc to whom he extends his wishes for 1984.
The card is illustrated on the recto with a reproduction of a drawing by PAB.
Poet, painter, engraver, Pierre-André Benoit or P.A.B. was above all a typographer and printer who produced more than 400 illustrated works bringing together the greatest post-war poets with the most talented painters of the second half of the twentieth century.
P.A.B.'s productions were first created on a small press installed in his apartment in Alès. They would bring together his poet friends René Char, André Breton, Paul Eluard, Paul Claudel, Erik Satie, Tristan Tzara and his painter friends Joan Miro, Georges Braque, Jean Dubuffet, Francis Picabia, Marcel Duchamp and Pablo Picasso. In 1949, he began using celluloid engraving which allowed him to make the prints himself and create the books in their entirety. From his modern château at Rivières-de-Theyrargues, in the Gard, he would eventually illustrate his works himself while continuing to work with his faithful friends Camille Bryen and Pierre Alechinsky.

Autograph signed card from Pierre-André Benoit (8 lines in black ink, written from his château at Rivières-de-Theyrargues in the Gard, which he has occupied since 1970) addressed to the bookseller Pierre Clerc, to whom he extends his wishes for 1984.
The card is illustrated on the recto with a reproduction of a drawing by Joan Miró accompanied by a phrase from Saint Teresa of Avila, envelope included.
The sunny winter favors PAB's good humor: "... une bonne année commencée avec le soleil ce qui donne envie de circuler..." ["... a good year begun with sunshine which makes one want to get about..."] who suggests to his bookseller friend that he come to lunch at his home soon.
Poet, painter, engraver, Pierre-André Benoit or P.A.B. was above all a typographer and printer who created more than 400 illustrated works bringing together the greatest post-war poets with the most talented painters of the second half of the twentieth century.
P.A.B.'s productions were first realized on a small press installed in his apartment in Alès. They brought together his poet friends René Char, André Breton, Paul Éluard, Paul Claudel, Erik Satie, Tristan Tzara and his painter friends Joan Miró, Georges Braque, Jean Dubuffet, Francis Picabia, Marcel Duchamp and Pablo Picasso. In 1949, he began to use celluloid engraving which allowed him to make the prints himself and to create the books entirely. From his modern château at Rivières-de-Theyrargues, in the Gard, he would end up illustrating his works himself while continuing to work with his faithful friends Camille Bryen and Pierre Alechinsky.

Autograph card signed by Pierre-André Benoit (8 lines in black ink written from his château at Rivières-de-Theyrargues in the Gard which he has occupied since 1970) addressed to bookseller Pierre Clerc, to whom he presents his wishes for 1984.
The card is illustrated on the recto with a reproduction of a drawing by PAB.
PAB is exhausted by the past year: "... j'ai besoin cet hiver de me reposer puis ce sera encore l'agitation..." ["I need to rest this winter then it will be agitation again..."] and is considering leaving his retreat at Rivières-de-Theyrargues: "dans un an au plus un an 1/2 je laisserai Rivières et me fixerai à Alès..." ["in a year at most a year and a half I will leave Rivières and settle in Alès..."]
He will also dispose of his books and his library: "... tout partira ou au musée-bibliothèque ou chez les libraires..." ["everything will go either to the museum-library or to booksellers..."]
This is why he invites his bookseller friend to come see him one last time at his château.
Poet, painter, engraver, Pierre-André Benoit or P.A.B. was above all a typographer and printer who produced more than 400 illustrated works bringing together the greatest post-war poets with the most talented painters of the second half of the 20th century.
P.A.B.'s productions were first made on a small press installed in his apartment in Alès. They would bring together his poet friends René Char, André Breton, Paul Éluard, Paul Claudel, Erik Satie, Tristan Tzara and his painter friends Joan Miró, Georges Braque, Jean Dubuffet, Francis Picabia, Marcel Duchamp and Pablo Picasso. In 1949, he began using celluloid engraving which allowed him to make the prints himself and produce the books entirely. From his modern château at Rivières-de-Theyrargues, in the Gard, he would end up illustrating his works himself while continuing to work with his faithful friends Camille Bryen and Pierre Alechinsky.

Autograph letter signed by Pierre-André Benoit (27 lines in black ink and written from his château at Rivières-de-Theyrargues in the Gard which he has occupied since 1970) addressed to bookseller Pierre Clerc regarding works that the latter had ordered from him.
Fold mark inherent to mailing.
PAB must travel to Montpellier, as his housekeeper is to have surgery there. He will therefore take the opportunity to meet his bookseller friend and bring him some available works among those he had ordered.
Poet, painter, engraver, Pierre-André Benoit or P.A.B. was above all a typographer and printer who produced more than 400 illustrated works bringing together the greatest post-war poets with the most talented painters of the second half of the 20th century.
P.A.B.'s productions were initially created on a small press installed in his apartment in Alès. They brought together his poet friends René Char, André Breton, Paul Eluard, Paul Claudel, Erik Satie, Tristan Tzara and his painter friends Joan Miro, Georges Braque, Jean Dubuffet, Francis Picabia, Marcel Duchamp and Pablo Picasso. In 1949, he began using celluloid engraving which allowed him to make the prints himself and create entire books. From his modern château at Rivières-de-Theyrargues, in the Gard, he would eventually illustrate his own works while continuing to work with his faithful friends Camille Bryen and Pierre Alechinsky.

Autograph letter signed by Pierre-André Benoit (22 lines in blue ink and written from his château at Rivières-de-Theyrargues in the Gard which he has occupied since 1970) addressed to bookseller Pierre Clerc to whom he presents his wishes for 1985 and in which he narrates the damage related to the frost that is ravaging the Gard and damaging his home.
Fold mark inherent to mailing.
PAB suffers from the harsh winter that has fallen upon the Gard: "... si je vous écris avec un soleil radieux qui réjouit les yeux il est sans effet et les -15e devant ma porte le 0 à l'intérieur de la maison cela n'a rien de confortable..." ["... if I write to you with radiant sunshine that delights the eyes it has no effect and the -15° in front of my door, 0° inside the house, that is not at all comfortable..."] but remains in good health even if his mind is paralyzed by the damage that promises to be significant: "...je suis effrayé à la pensée du dégel... il m'est impossible de lire de penser à quoi que ce soit sauf aux méfaits du temps. Vivement les beaux jours..." ["...I am frightened at the thought of the thaw... it is impossible for me to read or think of anything except the misdeeds of the weather. Looking forward to fine weather..."]
Poet, painter, engraver, Pierre-André Benoit or P.A.B. was above all a typographer and printer having produced more than 400 illustrated works bringing together the greatest postwar poets with the most talented painters of the second half of the 20th century.
P.A.B.'s productions were first created on a small press installed in his apartment in Alès. They brought together his friends the poets René Char, André Breton, Paul Eluard, Paul Claudel, Erik Satie, Tristan Tzara and his painter friends Joan Miro, Georges Braque, Jean Dubuffet, Francis Picabia, Marcel Duchamp and Pablo Picasso. In 1949, he began to use celluloid engraving which allowed him to make the prints himself and to produce the books entirely. From his modern château at Rivières-de-Theyrargues, in the Gard, he ended up illustrating his own works while continuing to work with his faithful friends Camille Bryen and Pierre Alechinsky.

Autograph letter signed by Pierre-André Benoit (13 lines in black ink written from his château at Rivières-de-Theyrargues in the Gard region which he has occupied since 1970) addressed to bookseller Pierre Clerc who had sent him New Year's wishes for 1986.
Envelope included.
In turn, Pierre-André Benoit extends his wishes for the year ahead and writes that he finds it difficult to leave his retreat in the Gard at Rivières-de-Theyrargues : "... je ne bouge jamais de Rivières..." ["... I never leave Rivières..."] and therefore favors a telephone appointment with his correspondent: "... oui par téléphone prenons rendez-vous et j'espère bientôt..." ["... yes by telephone let's make an appointment and I hope soon..."]
Poet, painter, engraver, Pierre-André Benoit or P.A.B. was above all a typographer and printer who created more than 400 illustrated works bringing together the greatest post-war poets with the most talented painters of the second half of the 20th century.
P.A.B.'s productions were first created on a small press installed in his apartment in Alès. They would bring together his friends the poets René Char, André Breton, Paul Eluard, Paul Claudel, Erik Satie, Tristan Tzara and his painter friends Joan Miro, Georges Braque, Jean Dubuffet, Francis Picabia, Marcel Duchamp and Pablo Picasso. In 1949, he began using celluloid engraving which allowed him to make the prints himself and create the books in their entirety. From his modern château at Rivières-de-Theyrargues, in the Gard, he would end up illustrating his works himself while continuing to work with his faithful friends Camille Bryen and Pierre Alechinsky.

Signed autograph letter from Pierre-André Benoit (13 lines in black ink written from his château de Rivières-de-Theyrargues in the Gard which he has occupied since 1970) addressed to the bookseller Pierre Clerc who had sent him his wishes for the year 1986.
Fold mark inherent to envelope insertion. Pierre Clerc has inscribed, in pencil at the top of the letter, the name and surname of his correspondent.
Pierre-André Benoit believes his correspondent is busy with his summer occupations, particularly mycological : "... vous êtes sans doite à Chateauneuf de Randon et les champignons ne doivent pas manquer.." ["... you are no doubt at Chateauneuf de Randon and mushrooms must not be lacking.."] and reassures his bookseller friend eager to stock up on his luxurious editions with confidential print runs: "... Venez déjeuner. oui il y aura des livres si vous en voulez. A bientôt." ["... Come to lunch. yes there will be books if you want them. See you soon."]
Poet, painter, engraver, Pierre-André Benoit or P.A.B. was above all a typographer and printer who produced more than 400 illustrated works bringing together the greatest post-war poets with the most talented painters of the second half of the 20th century.
P.A.B.'s productions were first created on a small press installed in his apartment in Alès. They brought together his poet friends René Char, André Breton, Paul Eluard, Paul Claudel, Erik Satie, Tristan Tzara and his painter friends Joan Miro, Georges Braque, Jean Dubuffet, Francis Picabia, Marcel Duchamp and Pablo Picasso. In 1949, he began using engraving on celluloid which allowed him to make the prints himself and produce the books entirely. From his modern château at Rivières-de-Theyrargues, in the Gard, he would eventually illustrate his works himself while continuing to work with his faithful friends Camille Bryen and Pierre Alechinsky.