About this artwork
Comte de Lautréamont was one of the most prominent literary ancestors of Surrealism. In 1930, Mary Reynolds rebound Lautréamont’s short text (which translates to “Preface to a Future Book”), utilizing masterful techniques she learned while working with expert bookbinder Pierre Legrain in Paris. This unique creation hovers between “sculpture” and “book” in its excessive binding choices. The front and back book boards are thick, nearly the same width as the book block (the pages that comprise the book itself). Impressed on the protruding spine as well as both book boards is Reynolds’ signature gilded lettering of the title and, strangely, both Lautreamont’s birth name, Isidore Ducasse, alongside his nom de plume. The cover is a hypnotic kaleidoscope of vellum, sealed with bright orange endpaper. The book’s binding makes it difficult to lay flat or even carry in a pocket, suggesting that Reynolds intended it to be displayed like an object or sculpture rather than read.
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Status
- On View, Gallery 289
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Department
- Ryerson and Burnham Libraries Special Collections
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Artist
- Mary Reynolds
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Title
- Préface à un livre futur (Preface to a Future Book)
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Place
- Paris (Object made in:)
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Date
- 1922
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Medium
- Full vellum binding with thick boards; author and title stamped in gold on spine; orange endpapers; gilt edges; original paper covers bound in
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Dimensions
- 16.5 × 9.8 × 1.3 cm (6 1/2 × 3 7/8 × 9/16 in.)
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Credit Line
- Mary Reynolds Collection, Ryerson & Burnham Libraries
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Reference Number
- 2019.185
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.
