LEBEDEFF, Jean, and COLUCCI, Guido: MAUPASSANT, Guy de. *La - Lot 231

LEBEDEFF, Jean, and COLUCCI, Guido: MAUPASSANT, Guy de. *La Ficelle*. A copy inscribed to the illustrator, one of only two copies of this Maupassant short story entirely handwritten by Guido Colucci and featuring six watercolors by Jean Lébédeff. Paris, n.p., 1943. Small folio, loose-leaf, padded cover, yellow cardboard slipcase and case. 20 unnumbered folios, a frontispiece, and 5 watercolor illustrations, including 2 full-page ones. A few faint foxing spots and scuffing on the case. A virtually unique edition. Limited to two copies, entirely handwritten by Guido Colucci and containing six watercolors by Jean Lébédeff, each labeled and numbered A–B on custom-cut vellum; copy No. A is for the artist. The text is set in pencil and calligraphically rendered in two shades. The signatures of both authors appear in red ink on the colophon page. Each watercolor is signed with Jean Lébédeff’s monogram. Jean Lébédeff (1884–1972), a painter and one of the leading wood engravers of his time, frequently collaborated with Guido Colucci (1877–1949), another renowned Italian artist. Together, they created several masterpieces in the same style that are highly sought after by collectors, such as *Les Eglogues* (Paris, 1942). Very rare and in good condition.