LE DA COSTA. ENCYLOPEDIA/LE MEMENTO UNIVERSAL. 1948. ALL THREE VOLUMES.

Paris: Jean Aubier, 1948

Three volumes. Vols. 1 and 2: 18.5 x 23.5cm., vol. 3: 24 x 31.5cm. 64pp. (combined). Forty-one b/w textual illustrations (combined). Each in original printed wrappers with pictorial device.

A complete set of this collaborative para-Surrealist mock-encyclopediac revue + supplement, as devised by Duchamp, Maurice Baskine, Pierre Mabile, Marcel Jean, et. al. Text-entries and/or pictorial contributions from Duchamp, Jindrich Heisler, Isabelle Waldberg, et al. Signpost citations after Baudelaire, Lewis Carroll, Engels, Freud, Jarry, Lautreamont, and many others. Includes such key words as: Adam, Disturber, Divinite, Eclair, Exigence, Flore, Huamour (sic), Magi, etc. Certainly, the definitive mini-reference to speculative science, arcane mysticism and decontextualized eroticism of the post-WWII era. Duchamp’s editorial hand and ideographic control are evident throughout including the absurdist numbering of the last issue. All volumes in mostly fine estate although one has some spine wear. Rare.

PRICE IS FOR ALL THREE VOLUMES AS A GROUP