Miloslav Novotný and Toyen, artist.

[HAND-COLORED TOYEN ILLUSTRATION] O Písni písní [About the Song of Songs]. Edice "Lis knihomilův" ["The bookworm's press" editions; series title].

Prague: F. J. Müller, 1931. Small octavo (21.5 × 12.5 cm). Original blind orange wrappers in original glassine wrapper; [5] pp. and [1] leaf. Printed on laid paper, bound Japanese-style with folded leaves. Color frontis, hand-colored by Toyen. Very good. Item #52784

Rare promotional brochure (prospectus) for this translation of the Old Testament "Song of Songs" with one hand-colored illustration by Toyen. The book itself, which also appeared in 1931, would contain four larger hand-colored illustrations by Toyen. The translation was prepared by Jan Blahoslav Čapek. Simultaneously, the prospectus also serves as an advertisement for the newly-founded fine press series "Lis knihomilův" (Bookworms' press) by F. J. Müller

The painter and illustrator Toyen (the pseudonym of Marie Čerminová) was one of the most accomplished artists of the Czech avant-garde, an early member of the Devětsil group and long-time collaborator of Jindřich Štyrský. She is best known for her surrealist, often highly erotic, work as an illustrator. Toyen also experimented with fluid gender roles, alternating male and female attire, and preferring a gender-neutral pseudonym and the masculine singular form in spoken Czech.

As of July 2023, KVK, OCLC only show three copies of the book in North America, and only one copy of the present prospectus.

Price: €1,000.00

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