Theater Pigalle's Lighting and Machinery

Description

Original edition, Paris, Draeger, 1929. In-4° (291 x 203 mm), spiral binding, silvered covers. The upper cover has 8 circular 'windows' revealing the illustrated title page (mostly stuck to the back and has a cut but no loss). Features a serigraphy of a cubist poster designed by Jean Carlu, printed in black with six colors in stencil; 24 well-preserved pages with numerous full-page heliogravure photographic illustrations by Germaine Krull, and a four-page preface in facsimile of a handwritten text by Jean Cocteau. Rare original edition of the brochure published to coincide with the opening of Théâtre Pigalle in October 1929. The mechanical aesthetic of the publication harmonizes perfectly with the legendary theater's design concept. A modern theater with advanced lighting techniques and Art Deco style, renowned at the time, built with a focus on the stage and 1,500 seats. The title page reproduces Carlu’s second launch poster. The first performance was Histoires de France by Sacha Guitry, with Jouvet directing for several years.