SEGALEN (Victor). - Lot 148

SEGALEN (Victor). Thibet. Paris: Mercure de France, 1979. -In-8, black cloth à la Bradel, boards covered with glossy paper decorated in brown tones, large tan chagrin pastille adorned with a letter in Tibetan script in glued black box, smooth spine adorned with two pieces of black box including the title and the author's name, gilt head, untrimmed, cover and spine preserved (C. Honnelaître). Second edition, largely original, containing the 58 sequences of this unfinished work by Victor Segalen, written between July 24, 1917 and November 12, 1918. The poem celebrates the Himalayan peaks and pays homage to travelers, while describing an original Tibet, inaccessible in time and space. With its fifty-eight sequences, it is distinguished by its lyrical tone and rhythmic structure, combining long verses and enneasyllables. Segalen makes a personal statement in this work, seeking to translate the essence of Tibet through song. Although "Thibet" is considered to be on the fringe of his earlier works on China, and its incompleteness has given rise to debate, it impresses with its boldness and poetic singularity (see "Association Victor Segalen" website, article "Thibet"). The original 1963 edition featured only 38 of the 58 sequences. This edition is based on the author's original manuscript, presented and annotated by Michael Taylor. One of 40 numbered copies on Arches Arjomari laid paper, the only edition on large paper. This is one of 10 hors commerce (n° MF 7). A very fine copy bound by Claude Honnelaître.