12. Pablo Picasso
1881-1973
La Célestine, 1977 The complete set of 66 etchings with text by Fernando de Rojas, bound in the original book cover with with parchment boards and lettering on the spine (as issued), contained in the original slipcover with Richard de bas laid paper. Signed in pencil and numbered 100 on the justifcation (the edition was 350, there were also 30 hors commerce in Roman numerals), printed and published by Atelier Crommelynck, Paris. Book 8 5/8 x 7 in. (21.9 x 17.8 cm) Estimate $25,000-35,000 Literature Patrick Cramer books 149 (contact department for listing of Brigitte Baer and Georges Bloch catalogue raisonné numbers)
The etchings done for La Célestine are part of the famous 347 Series. Between March 16 and October 5, 1968, Picasso worked on the plates almost daily, using various techniques and sometimes the same plate. Picasso did not want the text to be printed on the verso of the leaves with etchings - hence the arrangement of the pages is unusual: uncut double leaves with one etching and one page of text alternate with single leaves with two text pages. Patrick Cramer, Pablo Picasso The Illustrated Books, 1983, p. 360.
NY_EDITIONS_APR17_2-57_BL.indd 20
21/03/17 08:54