PHILIPPE (Jean-Loup) - BERTINI (Gianni). - Lot 118

PHILIPPE (Jean-Loup) - BERTINI (Gianni). Combat on the Moon. Ingatestone, January 1, 1976. - 210 x 297 : (29 ff.). Sheets in a polystyrene isothermal wrapper for preserving fish, with title inscribed on one side. A unique book, the result of a collaboration between Jean-Loup Philippe and Italian painter and illustrator Gianni Bertini (1922-2010). This book, consisting of 29 A4 sheets, features autograph poems by Jean-Loup Philippe on almost every sheet, accompanied by original artwork by Bertini. The first sheet features a portrait of Jean-Loup Philippe by Bertini, while the last sheet bears the signed justification of both authors, with the words: "Ingatestone, Essex-England. This book! ! ! ! by Bertini and J.L. Philippe was designed in 15 x 3 before noon on January 1, 1976." The first known collaboration between these two artists for a book of this type, 16 years before the publication of their work O (1992), this project marks a pivotal moment: Jean-Loup Philippe was just beginning his literary career, while Bertini was already at the peak of his art. Created "for pleasure", with no editorial intent, this book bears witness to the creative freedom of the poet and painter, conceived without constraint. Documents of this kind, from an artist of Bertini's stature, are extremely rare. Rediscovered on the occasion of the publication of "Jean-Loup Philippe, un artiste du livre" (Pandore, 2023), this work perfectly illustrates the boldness and intimacy of their collaboration.