Beschreibung:

KAFKA, FRANZ. 1883-1924; and JEAN-MICHEL ATLAN, illustrator. Description d'un Combat. Paris: Maeght Editeur, 1946. 4to (300 x 232 mm). 16 lithographs by Atlan, comprising 8 full page plates, 7 headpieces and cul-de-lampes, and double-page lithographed wrappers by Atlan. Full black morocco, sides overlaid with dark grey paper, inlaid geometric shapes in black and white calf, and gray paper, signed "P.L. Martin" and "1958" on the turn-ins, gray coated endpapers, original full lithographic wrappers folded and bound-in, custom P.L. Martin designed suede-lined paper chemise with clear plastic spine, and black paper slipcase.
Provenance: Jacques-Olivier Fourcade, J. Lambert & Cie (note from Pierre-Lucien Martin studio); artist binding by P.L. Martin, for J. Lambert (begun c.1955, completed 1958); John Roland Abbey ("J.R. Abbey" bookplate, and shelfmark; acquired June 17, 1960); sold his sale, Part V, Highly Important Modern Illustrated Books and Bindings, Sotheby & Co, London, June 2, 1970, lot 2577, to Pierre Beres.
Exhibited: Arts Council, London, 1965, Modern British and French Bookbindings from the Collection of J.R. Abbey, number 110.
A FANTASTIC PIERRE-LUCIEN MARTIN ARTIST BINDING, FROM THE COLLECTIONS OF TWO OF THE GREATEST COLLECTORS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, the limited numbered artist edition of Kafka's short story, number 82 of 300 copies. P.L. Martin ranks as one of the most outstanding French design binders of the last half century, and his designs are characterized by "understated color, impressive three-dimensional effects, and intricate but highly logical applications of geometry" (The World from Here: Treasures of the Great Libraries of Los Angeles, 2001).
This remarkable binding, completed for Jacques-Olivier Fourcade (J. Lambert & Cie) in 1958, according to P.L. Martin's notes held in his archives at the Wittockiana Museum of Book Arts and Bookbinding, is indicative of Martin's distinctive style with its understated geometric patterns and confined use of color. Once bound, the book was sold to the legendary John Roland Abbey in 1960 according to his shelfmark, and was chosen for the 1965 exhibition of his collection at the Arts Council, London. Bought by Pierre Beres at Abbey's 1970 sale in London, the book became part of a private Israeli collection sometime before the mid-1980s, before making its way into the current collection.
This finely executed and designed binding for Kafka's fantasy is a wonderful example of the fine art of 20th-century bookbinding, sporting a distinguished provenance.