Un ivrogne chez les fous

Un ivrogne chez les fous [Asylum]

Gallimard | Paris 1941 | 12 x 19 cm | original wrappers in custom chemise and slipcase
First edition of the French translation of Asylum, «travel story» in a psychiatric asylum, one of the advance (service de presse) copies.
Our copy is presented in a half black morocco chemise, gilt date at the foot of the spine, marbled paper boards; slipcase edged with the same morocco and covered with marbled paper, red paper interior.
Exceptional and very rare handwritten inscription signed in pencil by William Seabrook to his friend the painter Moïse Kisling, who had just taken refuge in New York to flee Nazism: «à Kisling – Joyeux noël à toi et tous les honnêtes gens – et merde au (sic) salauds. Willy / christmas 1941 William Seabrook» («to Kisling – Happy Christmas to you and all honest people – and shit to the (sic) bastards. Willy / Christmas 1941 William Seabrook»)
Faded copy, as many of the books in Moïse Kisling's library (and many painters!), detached wrapper reinforced with adhesive and marginal pieces missing on the boards, also a piece missing on the upper left corner of the presentation page.
Precious testimony of the friendship and support from an American writer of the Lost generation for the persecuted Jewish artist, who was his neighbour in Sanary-sur-mer.