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Mikhail Larionov (Russian, 1881 - 1964). "L'Art Theatral Moderne, Letter #1". Typed/autographed letter signed. 1948. Provenance: Bloomsbury Auctions, London. Letters by Larionov are rarely seen on the market. This is a highly important letter relating to the classic 1919 Larionov-Gontcharova album. Typed letter signed "M. Larionov" with an extensive autograph postscript in Larionov's hand, signed "M.L." Written in French, dated May 5, 1948, from Larionov at 16 Rue Jacques Callot, Paris (VI) to Ifan Kyrle Fletcher (in London?). Double-sided 2 pp. 4to (10 1/2 x 8 1/4 in.). Complete English translation as follows: "Excuse me, I have been in the countryside. As I don't have a copy of the album here, I wasn't able to tell you anything very precise about this subject before I returned to Paris. The only luxury publication of the Gontcharova-Larionov album dated 1919 was a 100-copy edition plus 15 more marked from A to O that were not sold. At that moment the price went up to 250 francs, or 5 pounds. Nowadays the price is probably around 10 pounds. About 10 years before the war, this work was sold out because it had been bought almost entirely by our subscribers and it can only be found now on rare occasions. At my place I found some of the separate plates that represent the colored pockets and the original lithographs. Here is what is supposed to come in the publication. 1) Text: Color and black and white illustrations. 2) Context: Color etchings - Gontcharova: 'Golden Rooster' 1st Act, 2nd Act, 'A Spanish Girl' (black and blue); Larionov: 'Russian Costumes,' 'Kikimora' Old Man (makeup); Gontcharova: 'Flowers;' Larionov: 'The Swan' mechanical costume, 'Martin-Fisherman' flat costume; Pockets - Larionov: 'A Peacock" mechanical costume, 'The Cricket' mechanical costume (music from Ravel), 'An Old Man' mechanical costume (music from Ravel); Theater of the Colored Shadows: Character from the Funeral Procession from the death of the aunt to the inheritance, music from Lord Berners. T.S.V.P. (Turn the page please). Gontcharova: Spanish costume, An Old Man (makeup); Larionov: Theatrical Mask, Dance Scale; Gontcharova: Original lithograph; Larionov: Original lithograph. The editions containing these last two lithographs are very rare because the album came out without them and they were sent separately to the subscribers. It may be that the albums that were sold in London don't have the last two and they were sold without them and they must be considered complete. Please forgive me for sending this information to you so late. I would like to hear from you. Please send my regard to Mrs. Fletcher. P.S. All of this concerns the deluxe album big format 50 x 36 cm yellow cover. At the same time a smaller format was published, more or less 36 x 26 cm white cover, 400 copies numbered from 1 to 400 in Arabic numbers, this album does not contain the last two lithographs or the two pockets by Larionov on yellow paper.". [21593] {R100}
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| Estimate | $1,400 - $2,000 |
| Starting Bid | $750 |
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