André Breton and the Surrealists: Original Editions, Journals and Illustrated Books

André Breton in a few words

Born in Tinchebray, in the Orne department, Breton began medical studies that were interrupted by the war. He met Apollinaire, Jacques Vaché, then Tristan Tzara and the Dada movement, before breaking away from it. With Philippe Soupault, he wrote Les Champs magnétiques, the first text born of automatic writing. The Surrealist Manifesto then gave a name and a doctrine to the group gathered around him: Aragon, Éluard, Desnos, Péret, Crevel, followed by the painters Max Ernst, Miró, Tanguy, Masson, Dalí, and Magritte. This was followed by Nadja, Les Vases communicants, L’Amour fou, and, during his American exile, Arcane 17. After returning to Paris post-war, he continued the adventure until his death, through international exhibitions, journals, and poetry collections.

What we offer

Our Surrealist collection includes several dozen copies by André Breton and his contemporaries: original editions of narratives and manifestos, poetry collections, essays on painting, exhibition catalogues, tracts, and journal issues (La Révolution surréaliste, Le Surréalisme au service de la révolution, Minotaure, VVV, Médium). We also feature books by group members such as Éluard, Aragon, Péret, Desnos, Soupault, Tzara, and works illustrated by the painters. The grid above lists titles where Breton’s name or one of his major texts appears in the title; the Surrealism section offers a broader view of the entire movement.

Identifying a fine Breton edition

Most of Breton’s books were issued in wrappers by publishers such as Gallimard, Le Sagittaire, José Corti, or small avant-garde houses, often with a numbered limited issue on large paper (Holland, Japan, vellum) and a trade issue. The collation note, at the beginning or end of the volume, indicates the copy’s category. Nadja and L’Amour fou blend text and photography: the presence of all plates is essential. An autograph inscription by Breton, in his expansive and careful hand, greatly enhances a copy’s interest, as does a documented provenance. For journals, the condition of the cover and the presence of plates are decisive factors.

Buying and conservation advice

Surrealist paperbacks are fragile: spine darkened, covers soiled, paper yellowed. Prefer an item with an intact cover, even at a higher price, as fresh copies are becoming scarce. Check that the pages have not been crudely trimmed and that the plates have not been removed. Store these books away from light, in a slipcase or a box, upright and without compression. Each entry in the grid describes the item as it is; we provide additional photographs upon simple request via the contact page.

To go further

The Surrealism section brings together Dada, journals and artists’ books. The pages for Apollinaire, Arthur Rimbaud and Baudelaire feature the poets Breton considered among his precursors. Our Original and inscribed editions file explains printing justifications and large-paper copies, while the Rare and valuable books page showcases the most important pieces in the collection. Finally, the old journals and periodicals complete the holdings of rare periodicals.