[curiosa] GENET (Jean): Querelle de Brest. Illustrated by Je - Lot 127

[curiosa] GENET (Jean): Querelle de Brest. Illustrated by Jean COCTEAU. s.l., s.n., s.d. (Paris, Paul Morihien, 1947). One volume. 23 by 30.5 cm. 307 pages. Full brown morocco, smooth spine, an enameled plate based on a design by COCTEAU is inlaid in the 1st plate, interior framing with gilt fillet, imitation gray suede paper endpapers, gilt head. Covers and spine preserved, brown morocco folder with spine and headbands, lined slipcase. A few very rare light foxings, as is often the case, but not serious, otherwise excellent condition. Complete with author's note on flyleaf beginning: "A sudden weariness made us abandon 'Querelle', which was already unraveling." One of 40 copies on vellum, marked "pour les amis de Querelle", signed by Jean GENET. Total edition of 525 copies. An original clandestine edition, published without date or publisher by Paul Morihien. It is illustrated with 30 lithographs by Jean Cocteau, including a frame on the title, repeated on the cover, and 29 full-page erotic compositions (complete). The binding, unsigned, was made by a great bookbinder, given its quality. To our knowledge, the enamel plate is unique. An exceptional copy. Probably COCTEAU's finest illustration of homosexual eroticism.