La Vida Inutil de Pito Perez by Jose Ruben Romero
Mexico City: Published by the author, 1945. First edition. leather_bound. 252 [4 leaves] in text. 30 x 22.5 cm. Printed volume is copy 84, noted as "Es Propiedad de Autor." Tipped in at the end of the volume is a large fold-out full color lithograph: an advertising poster with brochure from La Galeria de Arte Mexicano who exhibited the first edition. Contains 206 original drawings plus the final published work, created as a gift presentation. The drawings, each signed and numbered by Molina, include the published, and numerous unused images in the final work, rendered in ink, graphite, watercolor, and wash; some drawn directly on bound leaves, others on India or onionskin and mounted or tipped-in, most with captions penciled in, and page placement sketched out. The story, a picaresque tale, chronicles the adventures of the titular character as retold upon return to his hometown of Santa Clara de Cobre. A film adaptation was made in 1943 by Miguel Contreras Torres. A handwritten explanation by Molina indicates the drawings a rough preliminary sketches to be later outlined in pen. As designer of the book's layout, he chose those to be ultimately included. He concludes -- "Many were the challenges that plagued the long work of illustrating (the book), and it is up to the critics and writers to mention them one day, if the interest they arouse should deserve to be transmitted to their colleagues and the public. Mexico, D.F. January 25th of 1947. Benjamin Molina." Orig. gilt stamped brown leather, slight edge rubbing. Very good. Item #22265
Price: $2,340.00