L’HONNEUR DES POETES. 1943. THE BEGINNING OF THE SPLIT AMONGST THE SURREALISTS.

Paris: n.p., n.d. (1943)

27 x 22cm, 8pp. Self cover. The true first edition of this clandestinely published poetic homage to the enslaved motherland of France – a collection of slightly trite poems which later drew Peret’s attention and ultimately an attack on its openly nationalistic sentiments when the latter saw a South American edition of the later-expanded book.

The major argument between Peret and the ‘resistance poets’ mostly concerned the inclusion of both Aragon and Eluard who wrote works here under pseudonyms – Malo Lebleu being Aragon, Jacques Destaing being Eluard.

NB – this is NOT the later anthology of poetry of the same name but the original pamphlet printed on cheap paper with an anonymous short foreword extolling the role of patriotic poets in rallying the nation against their oppressors.

This is an uncut example although the cheap paper is browned and the edges have small tears and wear all round. Very rare.