Voyage au Congo suivi de Retour du Tchad

Voyage au Congo suivi de Retour du Tchad
First collective edition of two journeys in Africa by André Gide published successively in 1927 and 1928. First edition, grand papier (deluxe copy) with 64 photographs by Marc Allégret printed in sepia and four maps. One of 28 numbered copies on japon impérial, the tirage de tête.
Our copy includes the 1928 colophon of first issue copies on japon impérial. Copies printed on Arches bear the date 1929 (Bibliographie des écrits d'André Gide, Arnold Naville).
The high ink absorption quality of papier japon and its affinity with color make it the ideal medium for Marc Allégret's famous sepia heliographed photographs.
White aniline calf with gilt titanium joints, ink-painted boards and spine in green, yellow and red, colors of the Republic of the Congo-Brazzaville flag, decoration continuing edge-to-edge on the liners, loose endpapers on papier japon dyed with Kakishibu by the binder, title lengthwise on the spine, decorated chemise titled on the spine, and matching custom slipcase. Wrappers and spine preserved.
Binding signed by Julie Auzillon, gilt title by Geneviève Quarré de Boiry and gilt top edge by Jean-Luc Bongrain (2022).
Very scarce tirage de tête on papier japon of this masterpiece book of photographs and the first account of travel to these very remote territories of central Africa by an intellectual, and outspoken critic of colonialism.
Unique copy set in a stunning art binding, in the colors of the Republic of Congo-Brazzaville.