Malraux André

1953 · réf. 24092506 — New York: Doubleday & Company Inc. printed by the Imprimerie Georges Lang Paris 1953. First and Limited Edition. Leather bound. Near fine. First edition in English one of 160 copies octavo size 663 pp. signed by André Malraux in slipcase. Georges André Malraux 1901-1976 lived a life of exploration social activism and danger at one point being a Marxist only later to turn back to the hope of Western culture and ideals. He had a deep and abiding interest in art and its effect on us as human beings: "to Malraux aesthetic ideas like the philosophy of action expressed in his own novels would always be part of man’s eternal questioning of destiny and his response to it" n.b. from the web site of the Encyclopedia Britannica. His first work was published in 1926 a novel; for his 1933 masterpiece "La Condition humaine" he was awarded the Prix Goncourt. This work is the first edition in English of the one-volume edition of his first book on art "The Psychology of Art" published in three volumes 1947–1949. ___DESCRIPTION: Bound in full crimson leather by Georges Gauche Paris gilt lettering on the spine top edge gilt patterned endpapers limitation page precedes the half-title this no. 8 of 160 copies and is signed by Malraux the books is replete with reproductions of paintings and sculptures mostly black-and-white with a few in colour; octavo size 8 7/8" by 7 3/8" pagination: 1-11 12-661 1 blank 1 printer's statement. In the publisher's slipcase covered and lined with red paper. ___CONDITION: Volume near fine the leather soft and supple the boards clean straight corners without rubbing a strong square text block with solid hinges the interior is clean and bright and entirely free of prior owner markings; light sunning and a few stray marks to the spine and one mark to the gilt on the top edge else fine. The slipcase very good while some of the seams are beginning to split it is still strong and sturdy with overall light wear and sunning. ___POSTAGE: International customers please note the following: i additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs please inquire for details; and ii any taxes duty or tariffs charged by your country will of necessity be your responsibility. ___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA ILAB and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have we are here to help. Doubleday & Company, Inc. [printed by the Imprimerie Georges Lang, Paris] unknown books