Circus, Music-Hall, Entertainment

First edition, one of 85 copies on pur fil paper, from the deluxe issue after 26 on Hollande.

Spine and covers slightly sunned, marginal tears to the covers and at the foot of the spine.

Rare copy with full margins.

A substantially cropped print bearing the same penciled number on the back of our photograph (11214), is in the Reutlinger archives at the Bibliothèque nationale de France (Album Reutlinger de portraits divers vol. 53, p.3). We have been unable to find any other examples of this photograph in other public collections. A similar photograph belatedly dedicated to Maurice Chevalier went on sale in 2008.

A beautiful, sultry shot of Colette probably taken the year of her banned dance show "Rêve d'Egypte" at the Moulin Rouge where she shared the bill – and a scandalous kiss – with her cross-dressing aristocrat lover Missy.

"Colette was a nude dancer, which at the time meant that she [...] draped herself in vaporous veils, concealing part of her anatomy under animal skins" (Paula Dumont). Colette had already used animal skins, hugging her figure in this picture, as a sensual costume in Charles Van Lerberghe's Pan, accompanied on stage by Lugné-Poe and Georges Wague. This was the first time anyone had dared to go without a flesh-colored body suit. Justifying her choice, she went on to say: "I want to dance naked if the body suit bothers me and humiliates my plasticity".

At the time of this photograph, in 1907, Colette was performing in countless shows, following her debut two years earlier in Nathalie Clifford Barney's Sapphic Salon where Mata Hari also danced. For Colette, dance was synonymous with emancipation in more ways than one - as a means of sustenance and liberation of her body which finally belonged to her after her separation from her abusive husband Willy in 1906. Her undulating, almost gestureless dance was linked by contemporary critics to that of Loïe Fuller and Isadora Duncan; her greatest success remained "La Chair", a risqué mime show she performed two hundred times in Paris and was subsequently produced with a new cast in New York's Manhattan Opera House. It was also in the halls of Parisian dance venues that Colette flaunted herself freely on the arm of her lovers. Her scandalous union with Missy, the virile Marquise de Morny who accompanied her on stage in male costumes, contributed to the fame of her performances.

This is probably the rarest photograph of Colette taken by Reutlinger who also photographed her draped in Grecian style or wearing her costume from "Le Rêve d'Egypte".

A rare visual testimony to a revolution in dance costume brought about by Colette, a key figure in twentieth-century artistic and literary Paris.

Reprint of a photograph showing a young Shirley Temple lying on a bed.

A fine copy.

Inscribed and signed in black felt-tip pen by Shirley Temple, dated 1988, to the renowned autograph collector Claude Armand.

Press clipping illustrated with a photograph depicting Josephine Baker on stage.

Horizontal central fold, minor tears of no consequence along the right margin of the clipping.

Inscribed and signed by Josephine Baker in black felt-tip pen a few months before her passing: "A Claude Armand ami de Jospéhine Baker 1975".

Black-and-white photographic postcard depicting Gilbert Bécaud.

Discography of Gilbert Bécaud printed on the verso, with minor paper losses.

Inscribed and signed by Gilbert Bécaud to the noted autograph collector Claude Armand: "A Claude Gilbert," enhanced with a small cat sketch in blue ballpoint pen.

Oblong color postcard depicting Charles Aznavour with his hands crossed under his chin.

A fine copy.

Signed by Charles Aznavour in black felt-tip pen in the right-hand margin of the card.

Provenance: from the collection of renowned autograph collector Claude Armand.

Original black and white photograph depicting Mistinguett wearing a hat.

Very slight, superficial scuffing to the margins, not affecting the image.

Vintage gelatin silver print. Printed stamp of the P. Apers photographic studio in Paris to the right margin of the image.

Autograph inscription by Mistinguett, signed and dated in black ink, to André Saudemon, at the foot of the photograph.

Original black and white photograph by the Associated Press British showing Cliff Richard posing in Athens with the Acropolis in the background, taken on the occasion of the release of the film "Summer Holiday".

A fine example. Associated Press British label affixed to the verso. Autographs of actors Roy Castle and Lebbi Siffre below the image.

Cliff Richard’s autograph in black felt-tip pen in the left margin of the print.

Provenance: from the collection of renowned autograph collector Claude Armand.

First edition, one of the rare copies printed on laid paper.
This issue comprises 4 pages and features an illustration by Steinlen: "Le plus vexé des trois".
With literary contributions by Alphonse Allais ("Absinthes", dedicated to Adolphe Willette), Rodolphe Darzens with the poem "Le conseil de la chair", Camille de Sainte-Croix ("Paul Margueritte"), Louis Marsolleau ("Villon"), among others.
A handsome copy, despite a small paper flaw at the head of the first page due to a printing defect.
Le Chat noir was a weekly magazine founded by Rodolphe Salis and Emile Goudeau, published from 1882 to 1897, intended to promote the famous cabaret of the same name, which it sought to document. It featured texts performed during the shows and stands as a major literary and artistic record of late 19th-century bohemian life and Parisian effervescence.

First edition, one of the rare copies printed on laid paper.
This four-page issue is illustrated with drawings by Jean-François Raffaëlli.
Contains literary contributions by Alphonse Allais ("Episode"), Georges d'Esparbès ("Délila"), George Auriol ("Chroniques de province"), Rodolphe Darzens ("Pour celle qui boude")...
A handsome copy despite a faint dampstain to the center of the issue.
Le Chat noir was a weekly review founded by Rodolphe Salis and Emile Goudeau, published from 1882 to 1897 with the aim of promoting the famous cabaret of the same name, of which it served as the living memory. It featured texts recited during performances. The review also stands as an important literary and artistic testimony to the late 19th century, centered on the bohemian spirit and the unique effervescence of Paris at the time.

First edition, one of the rare copies printed on laid paper.
This issue comprises 4 pages and features an illustration by Steinlen: "Coqs et poule".
Literary contributions by Alphonse Allais with "Le pauvre bougre et le bon génie" dedicated to Henry Somm, François Villon with the poem "Rondel", George Auriol with "Au diable vert" dedicated to Steinlen, Rodolphe Salis...
A handsome copy.
Le Chat noir was a weekly review founded by Rodolphe Salis and Emile Goudeau, published from 1882 to 1897, created to promote the famous cabaret of the same name and to serve as its memory. It published the texts performed during the shows. More broadly, it constitutes a major literary and artistic record of the late 19th century, centered on bohemian life and the unique creative fervor of Paris at the time.

First edition, one of the rare copies printed on laid paper.
This issue comprises 4 pages and includes a comic strip by Albert Robida: "Vient de paraître !"
Literary contributions by Alphonse Allais ("La bonne fille"), George Auriol ("La statue de César Dupeauprez"), and Gaston Méry ("Au parc Monceau"), dedicated to Albert Tinchant...
A pleasant copy, with only a few faint marginal spots.
Le Chat noir was a weekly magazine founded by Rodolphe Salis and Emile Goudeau, published from 1882 to 1897, intended to promote the famous cabaret of the same name, of which it served as a lasting record. It published texts recited during the performances. The magazine stands as a significant literary and artistic document of the late 19th century, reflecting the bohemian spirit and the vibrant Parisian atmosphere of the era.

First edition, one of the rare copies printed on laid paper.
The issue comprises 4 pages and features a comic strip by Godefroy: "Question de cabinet".
Literary contributions by Victor Meusy ("Les prunes de monsieur"), Alphonse Allais ("Le médecin (monologue pour Cadet)"), Rolla ("Tombes de fleurs")...
A faint dampstain along the left margin of the journal, otherwise a pleasing copy.
Le Chat noir was a weekly magazine founded by Rodolphe Salis and Émile Goudeau, published from 1882 to 1897 to promote the famous cabaret of the same name, acting as its living archive. It published the texts performed during the shows and stands as a major literary and artistic testimony of late 19th-century bohemian life and the vibrant Parisian scene it embodied.

First edition, one of the rare copies printed on laid paper.
This four-page issue features a comic strip by Louis-Christian, known as Döes: "La bonne galette".
Includes literary contributions by Francisque Sarcey on "La Terre" by Emile Zola, Charles Cros "Psaume CCCCXXXIV", Alfred Béjot "Épitre à Allais", Georges Auriol "Malabar", among others.
One tear with loss and some light staining to the margins of the covers.
Le Chat Noir was a weekly review founded by Rodolphe Salis and Emile Goudeau, published from 1882 to 1897, intended to promote the famous cabaret of the same name and to serve as its chronicle. It featured the texts recited during performances and constitutes an important literary and artistic record of late 19th-century bohemian life and the unique vibrancy of Paris during that era.

First edition, one of the rare copies printed on laid paper.
This issue comprises 4 pages and features a comic strip by Steinlen, "Du dernier bien avec le général", as well as drawings by Henry Somm on the facing page.
Literary contributions by Alphonse Allais, "La forêt enchantée" dedicated to George Auriol, Raoul Gineste "Les vieux chats", and José Rolla "A l'église"...
A well-preserved copy, despite a few faint marginal stains.
Le Chat noir was a weekly review founded by Rodolphe Salis and Emile Goudeau, published from 1882 to 1897 to promote the famous cabaret of the same name, of which it served as a record. It featured texts performed during the shows and stands as a major literary and artistic testimony to the late 19th century, capturing the bohemian spirit and vibrant Parisian scene of the time.

First edition, one of the rare copies printed on laid paper.
This four-page issue features a large double-page illustration by Steinlen.
Literary contributions by Alphonse Allais (“Bébert”), Pimpinelli (“Pose de lapin”, dedicated to Albert Tinchant), and Narcisse Lebeau (“Paravent”)...
Some marginal tears and stains.
Le Chat noir was a weekly magazine founded by Rodolphe Salis and Emile Goudeau, published from 1882 to 1897, intended to promote the famous cabaret of the same name, which it sought to commemorate. It published the texts recited during the performances and stands as a major literary and artistic document of late 19th-century bohemian life and the distinctive Parisian vitality of the era.

First edition with all the identifying points of the first printing, one of the review copies.

Exceptional presentation copy inscribed by the author to the famous singer Yvette Guilbert, to whom Céline himself sang and offered one of his scandalous compositions, “Katika la putain,” [Katika the Whore] later renamed “À Nœud coulant” [With a Slipknot"] "A madame Yvette Guilbert en témoignage de ma profonde admiration. LFCéline.”

Beneath Céline's inscription, the actor Fabrice Luchini has added: “A Yvette Guilbert in memoriam. FLuchini” ; and on the half-title, actor Jean-François Balmer wrote in turn: “Merci en bon voyage. JFBalmer.”

With pasted-in entry tickets to their respective performances of Voyage au bout de la nuit—at the Comédie des Champs-Élysées for Luchini, and at the Théâtre de l’Œuvre for Balmer.

Second illustrated edition, with 68 wood engravings within the text.

The first leaf bears, on its verso, a few lines of music (the recto is blank). On the final leaf, the same score reveals, when folded, lines of writing: "Les notes musicales qui servent de Frontispice à cet Ouvrage, ressemblent parfaitement au Discours & à la Musique ci-dessus. C'est la manière de plier le papier qui fait paraître l'un & disparaître l'autre" (cf. Fechner, p. 152).

Paris: Chez l'Auteur, Granger, Bailly, Lesclapart, Hardouin & Gattey, Varin, Lagrange [Printed by Veuve Hérissant], 1786. Octavo (in-8), 2 ff. n. ch., pp. [v] to xix, 328 pp., 1 folding unnumbered leaf in accordion format, 68 woodcuts in the text.

Bound in modern pastiche half brown calf with vellum tips, spine with gilt fillets and small tools, green morocco label, endpapers and pastedowns lightly shaded, red edges.

The first edition of this text appeared in 1785.

This volume constitutes the third part of Henri Decremps' renowned treatise on recreational science, the first volume of which, La Magie Blanche dévoilée, was printed in 1784; a supplement appeared in 1785, followed by this Testament, then a fourth and fifth part.

"Henri Decremps, born in Beduer-en-Quercy on April 15, 1746, died in 1826, jurist, mathematician and Doctor of Law, served as interpreter-secretary at the French Embassy to the Court of England" [Fechner].

A pleasant copy.

First edition, one of 25 numbered copies on pur fil, the only copies printed on deluxe paper.

A faint halo to the upper left corner of the front cover, small tears to the foot of the spine where the edges are uncut.

Rare copy with full margins.

First edition (a reprint was issued in 1963) of one of the two major works by Marcel Sarrazin, known as Vassal, now considered one of the leading French-speaking 'mentalists'—a modern term borrowed from English (cf. Fechner, p. 554). Only 2 copies listed in the CCF (BnF and Sainte-Geneviève).

Small stains to the lower right corner of the title page, otherwise a well-preserved copy.

Contemporary half tawny sheep binding, spine with four raised bands and gilt fleurons, minor rubbing to spine, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original front wrapper preserved, sprinkled edges, very slight rubbing to corners.

Illustrated with in-text figures after drawings by the author, 2 plates out of text (including a chart of 20 lamps, and a newspaper clipping).

Copy belonging to the illusionist Hervel (Benoît-Joseph Phillis, 1913–1992), with his inkstamp on the title page.

Three volumes published between 1890 and 1893. 300 experiments in recreational physics and conjuring, with numerous wood-engraved illustrations by Poyet. Four pages of publisher’s advertisements at the end of volume one.
Publisher’s binding by Engel (not credited), gilt-stamped red percaline cloth. Boards and spines decorated with black and gilt designs. Headcaps slightly pushed. Two small tears along the lower hinge of volume 3 with minor percaline loss. A fresh and well-preserved set, with a few spots of foxing.

Very attractive copies. The cloth bindings remain in excellent condition, with glossy finish and sharp corners.

A striking photographic portrait of Mistinguett by Walery with its studio stamp on the verso. A tiny pinprick on the right-hand edge of the photograph.

Inscribed portrait of Mistinguett, the queen of music hall, at the top of the photograph: "To Nenette, in friendship, Mistinguett".

Actress, singer and music-hall dancer Nénette (Jeanne 'Jane' Aubert) began her long and successful career in Mistinguett's revue at the Casino de Paris. From cabaret to Hollywood silent films and the Folies-Bergères, she played many roles notably with Michel Simon, Jean-Louis Barrault and Arletty, and played a theater adaptation of "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes". She is also known as the wife of billionaire Neslon Morris, king of American corned beef. 

 

Photographic postcard issued by the television weekly Télé 7 Jours, depicting Guy Lux smoking a cigarette.

A well-preserved example.

Signed by Guy Lux in blue felt-tip pen.

Black-and-white photographic postcard depicting a young Charles Trenet wearing a hat.

A handsome example. Charles Trenet’s discography with Columbia printed on the verso.

Inscribed and signed by Charles Trenet: "Pour monsieur Thézard souvenir joyeux de Niort. Charles Trenet."

Photographic postcard by Studio Philips, depicting Johnny Halliday in black and white, holding his guitar in his right hand, resting it on his shoulder.

The verso features the artist's discography, with minor text loss at the head and foot. A well-preserved example.

Bold blue ink signature by Johnny Halliday.

Colour photographic postcard depicting Fernand Raynaud holding a crate of oranges, with a sign reading: "Ici on vend de belles oranges pas chères."

On the verso, a blue ballpoint signature of Fernand Raynaud has been affixed.

Inscribed and signed by Fernand Raynaud in red felt-tip pen: "Merci Claude. FRaynaud."

Provenance: from the collection of the distinguished autograph collector Claude Armand.

Color photographic postcard depicting Johnny Hallyday, a guitar in his right hand, balancing on a locomotive.

Photographic postcard produced by Philips studios.

Signed in Johnny Hallyday's hand in the upper left margin.

First edition, with no mention of deluxe paper copies.
Half red marbled sheep binding, spine faded with four raised bands decorated with a gilt floral motif, light rubbing to the bands, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, sprinkled edges, front cover preserved, modest contemporary binding.
Rare signed and inscribed copy by the author Colette Andris to Jean Blavet.
Novelist, music-hall performer and actress, a forgotten and short-lived muse of the Roaring Twenties music-hall, Colette Andris (the pseudonym of Pauline Toutey) managed to write three novels between 1929 and 1935, with a lot of autobiographical elements. She would die in the prime of life the following year. Born into an academic family, she quickly gave up the administrative and teaching careers that awaited her in order to become a nude dancer and, like her heroine Miss Nocturne, to perform in the Parisian music halls.