Le temps déborde

Paris, Cahiers d’art, (June 16) 1947.
1 vol. (180 x 245 mm) unnumbered. Paperback.

First edition. Illustrated with 11 photographs of Dora Maar and Man Ray.
Edition of 500 [258 real copies] (no. 106).

We apologize for the imperfect translation generated by Deepl for the purposes of the show.

These fourteen poems are divided into two groups of seven, separated by the date of November 28, 1946: the fateful day when the poet’s wife, Nusch, died suddenly, far from Éluard, who had gone to Switzerland: “Twenty-eighth of November, nineteen hundred and forty-six. We will not grow old together. Here is the day too many: time overflows. My love so light takes on the weight of torment.”

A wonderful and moving book, printed in small numbers: the paper needed for the printing was donated by Gallimard, but ”only 258 copies could be printed and not as the printer’s proof stated” (pencil note made by Éluard in the Valentine Hugo copy). He is published under the name of Didier Desroches, a pseudonym which he explained to Gala three days before the tragedy, on November 25, because the poet has in mind, as he says, “a great task: to completely start my poetic life over again. But I am telling you this in the strictest confidence. If you ever hear about Didier Desroches, know that it’s me. No one but Nusch knows about it. I’m tired of people buying my poems in trust for the signature…”. On the 28th, Nusch suffers a stroke. Éluard would only use this name for this one collection, the ultimate homage of a poet to his muse and his great love, his companion for seventeen years of their life together.

Very fine copy.