L'OFFRANDE LYRIQUE by Rabindranath Tagore
Choix de Poemes traduits de l'Anglais par ANDRE GIDE
[i. e. Lyric Offering or Gitanjali - selection of poems translated from English by Andre Gide]
Lithographies de SAKTI BURMAN
Paris: Les Pharmaciens Bibliophiles
1993
pp. 96 in 12 sections
Illustrated with 17 colour lithographs, 5 of them double-page, each with titles in Bengali and French printed on the blank back.
Size 15.5 x 12 inches
The first lithograph is an artist proof signed by Sakti Burman in pencil and the letters E.A. [epreuve d'artiste or artist proof] also written on it in pencil. The last lithograph is also signed by Sakti Burman in pencil and the letters H.C. [hors de commerce or Not For sale] also written in pencil.
Edition limited to 190 numbered copies printed on vellum Rives [some sheets carry the firm's watermark] with deckled edges, signed by the artist in pencil on the colophon. 150 copies of the edition [numbered 1-150] were meant for the members of Les Pharmaciens Bibliophiles and 40 [numbered I-XL] for the collaborators in the production. This is one of the latter copies, numbered V.
The sheets are all unstitched as issued and contained in a saffron ragpaper chemise with the signatures of Rabindranath Tagore and Sakti Burman in Bengali impressed on its cover. This is contained in a blue velvet box with the title and names embossed in silver on the spine. The box with a 1.5 inch imperceptible crack on upper joint. Else a copy as good as a volume hot off the press.
With an illustrated invitation card for a Sakti Burman exhibition in Bombay in 1994 carrying a signed handwritten message from Burman in French loosely inserted.
Les Pharmaciens Bibliophiles came into being in 1928 when some of the members of the Faculty of Pharmacy in Paris, passionate about art and literature, decided to found an association to publish and distribute among its members luxuriously-produced limited-edition illustrated books which were not meant to be sold or distributed outside its circle.
This lot will be sold in "as is" condition.
There may be some minor tears/creases scratches, or holes commensurate with age that may not be visible in the images.
The books on sale in this auction are rare, out-of-print and otherwise collectible, dating from the 19th century on wards. The technology and material for printing and binding books has evolved over the last few centuries. From being the exclusive preserve of Clergy and Kings to an item of everyday application, the availability and use of books has also evolved over time. Books age over time and deterioration in a book's condition depends on many factors, including the original materials used and conditions of usage over time. Books will often show signs of foxing, fading, shelf-ware or dust jacket damage through usage. Prolonged storage may also cause wormhole damage or water stains.
The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email. Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Storyltd shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.