[curiosa Eroticism Homosexuality] Jean Genet / Cocteau (ill.) - Querelle De Brest. Eo 1/525.

GENET (Jean) - COCTEAU (Jean, ill. by). Querelle de Brest. Sl, s.é. [Paul Morihien], sd [1947, November]. -------------------------------------------- One vol. in-4 format (313 x 242 mm) of 305 pp., paperback, under cover with folded flaps and publisher's lace-up folder in full cream cardboard, title labels glued to the first cover and spine. First edition. Single print run of only 525 copies. This one is among the 460 of the numbered print run on vellum in the form. The work is embellished with 31 ambiguous full-page compositions, although unsigned, by Jean Cocteau and opens with a stylized initial printed in red. ''Among the five novels published by Genet between 1943 and 1948, Querelle de Brest is the only one not to be autobiographical. This book, the second published clandestinely by Paul Morihien, was to be dedicated to Cocteau, anonymous author of the 29 erotic drawings [decorating the work]''. (in Eros au secret / L'Enfer de la Bibliothèque). ''Inspired by the sea and sailors, who are associated, in the author's mythology, with murder and its ''rites'', this book is a series of variations on crime, homosexuality and betrayal; that is to say, on the secret links between these ''upsetting moods, blood, sperm and tears'' which will tie the characters of the novel into a network of abject and fascinating ''gestures''.'' (in Pia). Complete copy of the printed note - loose - written by the author. Pia, Dictionary of erotic works, p. 427 - Eros in secret / The Hell of the Library, n°237 - Pia, The Books of Hell, 1216 - Dutel III, Bibliography of erotic works published clandestinely in France, 2293 - Monod II, Manual for the lover of modern illustrated books, 5246. Small dark marks in the lower margin of the first cover of the cardboard folder; which also has small alterations. The copy itself is very well preserved; except that it has some very discreet foxing.