Pablo Picasso – Hélène chez Archimède
Paris, Nouveau Cercle Parisien du Livre, 1955.
First edition of one of Pablo Picasso’s most important illustrated books, conceived from drawings executed in 1925 and engraved in wood by Georges Aubert. The project, initially commissioned by Ambroise Vollard, was ultimately realized in 1955, resulting in a landmark publication at the intersection of Surrealism, abstraction, and book art. The volume contains 22 original wood-engravings after drawings by Pablo Picasso, 20 of which are hors-texte (full-page plates), printed with exceptional clarity and depth.
Total edition of 240 copies, comprising 100 copies numbered I–C and 140 nominative copies for members of the Cercle. This copy is number XXV, from the first series of 100, constituting the head of the edition.
Bound in full black morocco, spine lettered in gilt, covers with white morocco onlays forming an abstract curvilinear design by Pablo Picasso, reproducing the illustration on page 47. Top edge gilt, other edges untrimmed. The binding was executed by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, London, one of the most prestigious bookbinding ateliers of the 20th century, renowned for their high-art bindings and exceptional craftsmanship. This is an atelier art binding, not a standard publisher’s binding.
Housed in a custom marbled slipcase, distinct from the original publisher’s cloth slipcase and adapted to the morocco binding.
Folio format, approximately 45 × 35 cm. Printer of illustrations: Georges Aubert.
Condition: light, honest wear to the binding consistent with age, minor surface cracking to the leather; front hinge slightly tender. Slipcase worn. Interior clean and complete, all plates present.
References: Monod 10485; Johnson (Vollard) 193; Rauch 80; Strachan, The Artist & the Book in France, p. 340; Geiser–Bolliger 1955; Hordisch B22.
An exceptional example of Hélène chez Archimède, distinguished by its low number within the first 100 copies, a major Sangorski & Sutcliffe art binding, and a custom marbled slipcase, offering museum-level quality for the advanced collector of Picasso illustrated books.
