CENDRARS (Blaise). - Lot 113

CENDRARS (Blaise). Short Black Tales for White Children. Paris: Les Éditions des Portiques, [1928]. — In-16, 185 x 134: 109 pp., (1 f.), printed cover. Paperback. First edition of this collection of 10 African tales reimagined for children, featuring humans, animals, and natural elements such as shadows and the wind. These stories, “which older African children tell each other for fun at night around the fire so as not to fall asleep because of the beasts lurking about,” explore universal themes such as friendship, injustice, poverty, and laziness. The term “Negro” is used here in a positive sense, predating the emergence of the concept of “Negritude” (Senghor, Césaire). Cendrars sought to convey the richness of African oral tradition to white children, in an educational and anti-racist approach for the time. One of 12 copies on Arches vellum, reserved for the author—the most limited print run on large-format paper (No. II). It is enhanced by this autograph dedication signed by the author on the first blank page: to Ribadeau-Dumas // these very short stories // with warm regards // Blaise Cendrars This dedication was written after the book’s publication. It was likely addressed to the writer and journalist François Ribadeau-Dumas (1904–1998), with whom Cendrars collaborated, notably on the magazine *Bravo*. A few small tears and stains on the cover. Browning on the first three pages, caused by the publisher’s bookmark bearing the copy’s serial number. Provenance: François Ribadeau-Dumas, with an autographed dedication.