(Despont, Thierry)illus. LE BATEAU IVRE (THE DRUNKEN BOAT) by Arthur Rimbaud. Thornwillow Press, West Stockbridge and New York, 1992. Very large folio (19 1/2 x 13 3/4 inches). Half-morocco over cloth clamshell box containing 29 folders, as follows: Title, with portrait of Rimbaud, Introduction by Thierry Despont, Chronology of Rimbaud's life with an illustration, Folders I-XXV, each containing an illustration and four lines of the text of the 100 line poem, and lastly a Justification folder, signed by the publisher and numbered CIX of the edition of 250 copies, all as called for: 29 folders with 28 illustrations. Laid in is the Prospectus, the Order Form of the Press, and a card on which prospective customers can register their name and address. The illustrations reproduce drawings by Thierry Despont, known as an architect whose firm specializes in luxury residential and hotel projects, and as an artist who shows through the Marlborough Gallery. The drawings are reproduced in offset lithography. There is light scuffing to the black cloth, the morocco is fine as are all of the contents.
