L'Art de nager le crawl

First edition of the French translation prepared by Michel Vaucaire, who would later write the lyrics to the famous song Non, je ne regrette rien, singed by Édith Piaf. One of the rare named copies printed on japon. 

Vertical creasing to spine, minor corner losses to spine and boards, traces of erasure to first two leaves, as issued.

Illustrated with 9 black-and-white photographs, including one on the cover.

When this French edition appeared in 1931, Johnny Weissmuller, then 27, had already retired from his brilliant swimming career. By that time, he was a household name in France. His first Olympic triumphs had taken place in Paris in 1924, where he won three gold medals. A few years later, in May 1930, he once again caused a sensation among Parisians by inaugurating the Molitor swimming pool, where he subsequently worked as a swimming instructor. His contemporaries even gave him a Latin-inspired nickname, as David Fury notes in Kings of the Jungle: the Adonis of Swimming.

It comes as no surprise, then, that his book on the crawl stroke, first published in June 1930, was translated into French as early as 1931. Johnny Weissmuller's work captivated readers from the moment it appeared, appealing to amateur sports enthusiasts and professionals alike. According to Cecil M. Colwin, much of the book's appeal lies in its still images drawn from filmed sequences. Through these, readers could follow the champion's swimming demonstrations almost in real time. Other illustrations, more decorative than instructional, proved equally popular: in these images, the American athlete, wearing a "Molitor" swimsuit, promotes the Art Deco pool.

The publication year of this French edition coincides with another landmark moment for the swimming champion. In October 1931, the celebrated athlete signed his first contract to play Tarzan on screen, beating out Clark Gable for the role. He would bring the character to life twelve times over the next sixteen years. His "victory cry" which can be glimpsed in the cover photograph already foreshadows the ape-man he was about to bring to life:

« Weissmuller not only had the physique but he had that kind of face – sensual, animalistic and good-looking – that gave the impression of jungle… outdoor life. Undoubtedly, Johnny was the greatest of all Tarzans – Sol Lesser, producer of 16 Tarzan films »

David Fury, Kings of the Jungle, An Illustrated Reference to “Tarzan” on Screen and Television, 2011

Exceptional first French edition copy in Japan. When the book appeared in 1931, the legendary swimmer was about to embark on his second career—one in which he would also excel: Johnny Weissmuller was soon to become a Hollywood star.