When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
SANDRA CALDER DAVIDSON — SYLVESTRE OU LA GRENOUILLE DE PLOMBMaeght Éditeur, Paris, 1962First Edition • No. 1294 of 2,000 CopiesComplete with Alexander Calder Frog Print
DAVIDSON, Sandra Calder. Sylvestre ou la Grenouille de Plomb. Paris: Maeght Éditeur, 1962.
First edition, copy No. 1294 of 2,000 numbered copies. Quarto. 68 pages. Original deep-blue cloth with mounted color illustration on the front cover. Illustrated throughout in color and black and white by Sandra Calder Davidson. Complete with the publisher-issued Alexander Calder frog print laid in.
A wonderfully playful Calder-family publication, written and illustrated by Sandra Calder Davidson, daughter of Alexander Calder, and published by the celebrated Parisian art publisher Maeght.
The book tells the story of Sylvestre, an unusual frog who dislikes water and refuses to swim. Davidson presents his adventures through exuberant color, energetic line drawings, inventive typography, and unconventional page designs. Although created as a children’s book, Sylvestre also has the character of a small mid-century artist’s book, with strong appeal to collectors of Maeght publications, modern illustration, and Calder-related material.
With the Alexander Calder Frog Print
Laid into this copy is the desirable publisher-issued offset-lithographic print reproducing an illustrated presentation drawing by Alexander Calder.
The sheet depicts a lively group of frogs and reproduces Calder’s affectionate inscription to his daughter:
À ma fille, quelques grenouilles de plus
Sandy Calder
Translation:
To my daughter, a few more frogs
Sandy Calder
The inscription and signature are printed as part of the image. The sheet is not an original drawing and is not individually hand-signed by Alexander Calder.
This separately issued sheet is an important component of the publication and is not always retained with surviving copies.
Sandra Calder Davidson and Maeght
Sandra Calder Davidson grew up within the creative world of her father, Alexander Calder, whose family divided its time between the United States and France. Her loose, humorous illustrations have a spontaneity entirely suited to this eccentric story.
Maeght was among the defining publishers and galleries of postwar European modernism, working closely with artists including Alexander Calder, Joan Miró, Marc Chagall, Georges Braque, and Alberto Giacometti. Maeght’s publication of Sylvestre places the book within its broader program of artist-designed books, prints, exhibition catalogues, and illustrated publications.
Bibliographic DetailsAttributeDetailsAuthor and IllustratorSandra Calder DavidsonTitleSylvestre ou la Grenouille de PlombPublisherMaeght ÉditeurPlaceParisDate1962EditionFirst editionLimitationNo. 1294 of 2,000 numbered copiesFormatQuartoPagination68 pagesLanguageFrenchBindingOriginal deep-blue pictorial clothIllustrationsColor and black-and-white illustrations throughoutSpecial FeaturePublisher-issued Alexander Calder frog print with reproduced inscription and signatureCondition
Near Fine overall.
The original blue cloth remains bright and attractive, with only light rubbing and handling wear at the edges and extremities. The mounted color illustration on the front cover remains vivid and well preserved.
The binding is sound. The interior is clean and fresh, and the color illustrations remain bright. The numbered limitation statement identifying this as copy No. 1294 of 2,000 is present.
The publisher-issued Alexander Calder frog print is present and well preserved.
