MEURTRE EN NOIR. 1937.

Paris: Librarie des Champs-Elysees, 1937

17.5 x 12cm, 244pp. + adverts. Original pictorial wrappers. First edition of this translation by the youthful Daumal of this mystery by the American expatriate (Francis) Grierson. During this period Daumal co-founded the para-Surrealist group ‘Le Grand Jeu’, and its namesake journal. Also, at this time, he had initiated his critical Sanskrit and metaphysical studies, which would be integral to his major prose works (ie ‘Mount Analogue’). The cover illustration by Jean Bernard is frankly racist however.

A close to fine example. Exceedingly scarce.