DEMAISON (André). - Lot 125

DEMAISON (André). The Book of Beasts Called Wild. Paris: Bernard Grasset, [1929]. — In-4, 220 x 169: 266 pp., (3 leaves, the last one blank), printed cover. Fawn half-maroquin with corner pieces, gilt fillets, ribbed spine, gilt headband, untrimmed, cover and spine preserved, edged slipcase (Alix). First edition of this volume bringing together five stories: “Ouara, the Lioness”; “Kho-kho, the Marabout”; “Nontap”; “Poupah, the Elephant”; “Tân, the Antelope.” The work is part of the series *La Comédie animale*, a series exploring the interactions between humans and wild animals, inspired by the author’s experiences in French West Africa, where he worked as an animal collector for the Antwerp Zoo and gained a deep understanding of African languages and cultures. The texts blend adventure stories, ethnographic observations, and reflections on the wild, while also challenging colonial stereotypes about wildlife and local populations. In it, the author develops a humanistic and poetic vision of so-called “wild” animals, breaking with the exotic or disparaging portrayals of the time. One of 80 numbered copies on Lafuma pure-fiber vellum, reprinted in the in-4 tellière format. This copy, bearing the letter H, was presented to the politician Anatole de Monzie (1876–1947) and includes this autograph dedication signed on the half-title page: To Mr. Anatole de Monzie // to the minister, // to the compatriot, // to my Colleague // as a token of respectful esteem // André Demaison This copy is enhanced by two autograph letters from the author, mounted at the front, addressed to Anatole de Monzie: - October 28, 1932 (2 pages, in-8): he agrees to “one or more lectures on African languages and literatures at the Sorbonne” and, regarding an order for *Diaeli*, insists that the publisher Piazza “deliver them with the new cover, whose actual title is: *The Book of Black Wisdom*, which is much more ‘evocative’ than *Diaeli*.” - November 1933 (2 pages, in-4): he announces, among other things, his trip to London and eleven English cities “in order to introduce the people and animals of our tropics.” A very fine copy bound by Alix.