Colour aquatint on greenish Japan paper, c. 24.2 × 29 cm (plate), 25 x 33 cm (sheet). Trial proof. Published as frontispiece to the book "Août" by Saint Pol Roux. Printed by Crommelynck & Dutrou, Paris, edited by Louis Broder, Paris 1958. Reference: Vallier 135.
According to the imprint, the total edition consisted of 140 copies on Vergé d'Auvergne, of which copies I to XX contained a suite on "papier ancien du Japon", all of which were signed. Our copy is apparently a rare unsigned proof on coloured Japan paper. According to the Arenthon Gallery Paris, the 20 copies of the special edition contained a "colour essay of a plate of the book, on Japon vert" - i.e. on green Japan paper, a description that comes closest to our copy. An H.C. copy offered at Karl & Faber in 2015 also had drawing pin holes, just like our copy. It could therefore actually be a proof that was pinned to the wall with two drawing pins for inspection.
