La Revue du monde libre

Name: La Revue du monde libre
SKU: 31086

Londres (28, Newgate Street, E.C.1), no. 4, avril 1943.

1 vol. (105 x 135 mm) of 47 p. Stapled.

A rare and legendary copy of La Revue du monde libre, “brought by the R.A.F.” as its cover laconically states, containing two of the most important texts of the literary Resistance: Paul Éluard's poem “Liberté,” reprinted from the review Fontaine under the title “Une seule pensée,” which opens this issue, and Vercors's Le Silence de la mer, titled here “Les silences de la mer,” which closes it.

Founded in London in January 1943, La Revue du monde libre, a monthly publication, ran for twenty issues, until August 1944. Each issue was dropped by airplane, in thousands of copies, over the major cities of occupied France: “To the French people upon whom the total night of the German occupation has fallen, we dedicate this modest review, intended to maintain a current of ideas between the Free Countries and the territories awaiting liberation. For the latter, we strive to open a skylight onto the outside world.” With this warning: “Men and women risk their lives to deliver this review to its destination. Ensure that it is placed in the hands of those who can make the best use of it, especially our compatriots of the clandestine press, whose courage is admired by all.”

Our previous copy, exhibited in the catalogue “Paul Éluard, Poésie et vérité,” was acquired by the Musée de l’Armée. It will be shown at the exhibition “Un exil combattant. Les artistes et la France 1939–1945,” held from February 26 to June 22, 2025, which we encourage you to visit. A fascinating catalogue (Éditions Gallimard | Musée de l’Armée) has been published for the occasion.

#31086

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